Management of the Weed Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus
L.) in Eastern and Southern Africa Using Integrated Cultural and
Biological Measures
October 1, 2005 to Sept 30, 2009
Abating the Weed Parthenium Damage in Eastern Africa Using
Integrated Cultural and Biological Control Measures
October 1, 2009 to Sept 30, 2014
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EIAR
Partners
Virginia State University
Virginia Tech
Ethiopia Haramaya University
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
Mekelle University
Kenya – National Museums
Tanzania – PAMS Foundation
Uganda – Makerere University
South Africa – ARC-PPRI
Australia – University of Queensland
Parthenium: a weed known in Ethiopia as “Faramasissa,”
meaning “sign your land away”
Parthenium is native to Central America.
It has spread to Africa, Australia,
South America and Southern Asia.
The plant is an aggressive invader:
 A single plant can produce 25,000 seeds.
 It can complete its life cycle 6-8 weeks.
 It releases toxic chemicals.
Impact of Parthenium
competes with pasture species
reduces crop yield
taints meat and milk
causes human health problems
displaces native plants
Goal of the Project
To develop an integrated weed
management system that reduces
the adverse impact of parthenium
on humans, crops, livestock and
plant biodiversity in the east
African region.
Specific Project Objectives
The project aims to:
1) Collect accurate information on the distribution and spread
of parthenium in Kenya and Tanzania, with follow-up
surveys in Ethiopia and Uganda;
2) Evaluate and demonstrate best management practices for
the control of parthenium;
3) Evaluate parthenium biocontrol agents for their safety in
respect to non-target plant species; and
4) Release and evaluate the impact of approved biocontrol
agents for the control of parthenium.
Methods of Parthenium Management
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Mechanical
Chemical
Biological
Integrated Parthenium
Weed Management
Dr. R.D. Gautam, Indian Agricultural Research Institute
Advantages of Biological Control
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Relatively cheap
Self-perpetuating – permanent
Environmentally friendly
No cost to the farmer
No pest resistance problem
Needed Steps for Biological Control
 Secure permit to introduce
bioagents for evaluation
 Establish a quarantine facility
 Train staff
 Identify test plants and conduct
host-range evaluation
 Secure permit to release
 Build rearing facility and increase
bioagent population
Establish a Quarantine Facility
Received Permit to Introduce Two Biological Agents
(Zygogramma and Listronotus)
for Host-Range Test Under Quarantine
 Host-range test of Zygogramma was conducted
on 27 species in Ethiopia.
 Zygogramma was found to be safe.
Photos by Kassahun Zewdie
Post Release Evaluation
Plan to Evaluate the Impact of Biological Agent Zygogramma bicolorata L.
on the Invasive Weed-Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) May 2014
Table of contents
Introduction …………………………………………………………………………. 3
The invasive weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L)……………..…… … 3
The bioagent (Zygogramma bicolorata L)…………………..………...…. 5
Project objective and scope……………………………………………….……… 6
Identification of appropriate bioagents ………………………………….. 6
Development of quarantine facilities …………………………………..…. 6
Introduction of the bioagents …………………………………………….... 7
Studies under quarantine conditions …………………………………….. 7
Preparation for the release of the bioagent ……………………………… 7
Rearing and multiplication of the bioagent ………………………........... 7
Release of Z. bicolorata L. ………………………………………………….......... 8
Selection of release sites ……………………………………………………. 8
Release around Wollinchitti ……………………………………. ….. 8
Release in range or waste land around Metehara ………………. 9
Establishment of release plots ……………………………………………… 9
Open fields around Wollinchitti and Metehara……………………. 9
Caged (experimental) plots at Wollinchitti………………………… 9
Infestation of parthenium with the bioagent …………………………….. 10
Open fields around Wollinchittii and Metehara …………............ 10
Caged (experimental) plots at Wollinchitti ……………………….. 11
Impact assessment ………………………………………………………………….. 11
Pre-release baseline evaluation …………………………………………….. 11
Monitoring establishment and spread …………………………………….. 11
Measuring impacts …………. ………………………………………………... 11
Assessment approaches and parameters ………………………………… 12
Recommendations …………………………………………………………............. 15
References ……………………………………………………………………………. 16
Appendices ………………………………………………………………….............. 20
Listronotus setosipennis
 Larvae tunnel in stems and
pupate in soil.
 Suitable for seasonally dry
regions.
 Host range tests were
conducted on nineteen major
crops and eleven plants
closely related to parthenium.
 Safe for release.
From Lorraine W. Strathie
stem-borer
Release Permits
Zygogramma
Listronotus
Increase Bioagent Colony
 Establish collaboration with
farmers, local ag bureau and
extension agents
 Secure a rearing site
 Recruit and train staff
Mass Rearing Centre at Wollenchiti Central Ethiopia
30 m
Toilet / wash
facilities
Water tank –
10 000 l
Shed – tools
Food area
5m
10 m
Perimeter fence - security
Andrew McConnachie
5m
7m
Project Supported Seven Students to Get Their M.S. Degrees
Shashie Ayele
Asresie Hassen
Sheleme Beyera
Kuma Ebissa
Betehelim Hiskias
Shitaye Terefe Edessa
Firehiwot Megersa
Trained Five Ethiopian Scientists in South Africa
on Quarantine Facility Management
Photos from Lorainne Strathie
Produced Posters on the Effects of Parthenium
on Human Health
Created a Network of Scientists
from Australia, India, USA,
and Eastern and Southern Africa
Devoted to Abating the Adverse Impact of Parthenium
Dec 2009 at Ambo
Recommendations for the Future
Additional bioagents will be needed for effective management of parthenium.
Potential New Agents
 Smicronyx lutulentus:
Seed-feeding weevil
 Carmenta nr. Ithacae:
Clear-wing moth whose
larvae feed on roots
K. Dhileepan & R.C. McFadyen
Scale-up the Release of Bioagents in Ethiopia
and Build Capacity
Establish rearing sites
 Northern Ethiopia
ERITREA
 Central Ethiopia
 Eastern Ethiopia
Build Human Capacity
 Train staff to: manage
and operate a quarantine
facility; rear and spread
bioagents; and monitor
post-release performance
of bioagent
 Train M.S. students in
weed science
Parthenium presence
Andrew McConnachie
Climex prediction of Zygogramma bicolorata in Ethiopia
Post-Release Evaluation
 Pre-release data – soil seed
bank, above ground
 Establishment, persistence
and spread of the bioagent
 Damage to parthenium by
the bioagent
 Measure impact – crop yield,
pasture recovery, native
vegetation
Collaborate with Partner Countries
to Control Parthenium
 Share experience in
establishing a quarantine
facility
 Provide starter colony of
bioagents
 Assist in host-range evaluation
 Assist in mass rearing of
bioagents
This research was made possible through support provided by
the United States Agency for International Development and the
generous support of the American people through USAID
Cooperative Agreement NO. EPP-A-00-04-00016-00, under the
terms of the Integrated Pest Management Collaborative
Research Support Program (IPM CRSP).