Parthenium a Noxious Weed: A Review on the Allelopathic Impact on Crop Plants and Their Management

Abstract

Allelopathy is a chemical interaction between higher plants in which allelochemicals generated by donor plants can significantly alter – and in some cases, hinder – the development of recipient (test) plants. Allelopathy is thought to have a significant role in their fast spread. This is particularly true of invasive alien species (IAS) such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Sorghum halepense. Only a few weed species are known to have an allelopathic inhibitory effect among these dominant weeds. Parthenium hysterophorus L. is world’s worst weed. Although it originated in tropical America, it has now spread quickly to Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. It can be controlled by herbicides, but their use adversely affects the environment and human health. It has been shown that extracts, residues and essential oils of many allelopathic plant species effectively control the germination and growth of Parthenium