Parthenium commonly known as Congress grass/Carrot grass/White cap/Safedtopi/Chatakchandani, is a problem weed in waste lands, roadsides, railway tracks, orchards and plantation crops all over India. A single plant can produce 5,000 to 25, 000 seeds. This weed poses a serious health hazards to human particularly allergy, eczema, asthma, dermatitis etc. Under Punjab conditions it starts appearing from end of February onwards and makes luxuriant growth during rainy season. However, the plants dry up during winter. It is necessary to control this weed in rainy season under Punjab conditions. Keeping all these things in mind Krishi Vigyan Kendra, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) organized different activities during Parthenium Awareness Week to create awareness among farmers, school children and youth regarding management of congress grass:
A farmers-scientist interaction was conducted at campus of KVK under the supervision of Deputy Director. During this interaction the harmful effects of Congress grass were discussed by Dr. Harmeet Kaur and Dr. Munish Sharma with the farmers. A healthy discussion was held on the management of congress grass. Farmers also gave their valuable suggestions to control this weed. One farmer suggested spraying common salt by mixing in water to suppress congress grass.
Awareness regarding harmful effects of Congress grass and its management was also highlighted among farmers of different villages through distribution of extension literature. Children of different schools were also involved for uprooting congress grass under supervision of KVK specialists. Lectures on management of congress grass were also given by Dr. Harmeet Kaur and Dr Munish Sharma to the school children. slogans on congress grass management were also shared by KVK, scientists with school children. KVK staff advised the farmers to make compost by uproot this weed before flowering and put in a compost pit. In addition this weed in dry form can also be utilized for mulching purpose. They were suggested to consult the scientists before spraying herbicides on congress grass.
