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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

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 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.

Parthenium: a weed known in Ethiopia as “Faramasissa,”meaning “sign your land away”

competes with pasture species

taints meat and milk

causes human health problems

displaces native plants

Impact of Parthenium

reduces crop yield

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.

Goal of the Project

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.

Specific Project Objectives

Mechanical Chemical Biological Integrated Parthenium

Weed Management

Methods of Parthenium Management

Dr. R.D. Gautam, Indian Agricultural Research Institute

Relatively cheap Self-perpetuating – permanent Environmentally friendly No cost to the farmer No pest resistance problem

Advantages of 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

Needed Steps for Biological Control

Establish a Quarantine Facility

Host-range test of Zygogramma was conducted on 27 species in Ethiopia.

Zygogramma was found to be safe.

Photos by Kassahun Zewdie

Received Permit to Introduce Two Biological Agents(Zygogramma and Listronotus)

for Host-Range Test Under Quarantine

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 …………………………………………………………………………. 3The invasive weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L)……………..…… …

3The bioagent (Zygogramma bicolorata L)…………………..………...….

5Project 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. ………………………………………………….......... 8Selection of release sites …………………………………………………….

8Release around Wollinchitti ……………………………………. ….. 8Release in range or waste land around Metehara ………………. 9

Establishment of release plots ………………………………………………9

Open fields around Wollinchitti and Metehara……………………. 9Caged (experimental) plots at Wollinchitti………………………… 9

Infestation of parthenium with the bioagent ……………………………..10

Open fields around Wollinchittii and Metehara …………............ 10Caged (experimental) plots at Wollinchitti ……………………….. 11

Impact assessment ………………………………………………………………….. 11Pre-release baseline evaluation ……………………………………………..

11Monitoring establishment and spread ……………………………………..

11Measuring impacts …………. ………………………………………………...

11Assessment approaches and parameters …………………………………

12Recommendations …………………………………………………………............. 15References ……………………………………………………………………………. 16Appendices ………………………………………………………………….............. 20

From Lorraine W. Strathie

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.

Listronotus setosipennis stem-borer

Release PermitsZygogramma 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

Toilet / wash facilities

Shed – tools

Food area

Water tank – 10 000 l

10 m

5 m

Perimeter fence - security

7 m

30 m

5 m

Andrew McConnachie

Project Supported Seven Students to Get Their M.S. Degrees

Shashie Ayele Kuma EbissaAsresie Hassen Shitaye Terefe Edessa

Sheleme Beyera Betehelim Hiskias 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

K. Dhileepan & R.C. McFadyen

Potential New Agents

Smicronyx lutulentus: Seed-feeding weevil

Carmenta nr. Ithacae:Clear-wing moth whose larvae feed on roots

Recommendations for the Future

Additional bioagents will be needed for effective management of parthenium.

Scale-up the Release of Bioagents in Ethiopiaand Build Capacity

Establish rearing sites

Northern Ethiopia 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

C LIM EX - C om pare Locations (1 species)Zygogram m a b ico lora ta

R un on A ug 20 2009 11:00Africa

N o C lim ate C hange / Irrigation: Not Set

0 to <6.4719.4 to <25.945.3 to <51.771.1 to <77.697 to <103

0 200

N orm al M ercator pro jection

Addis Ababa

Dire Dawa

Awasa

Omorate

Bahir Dar

Adigrat

W oldia

Arba Minch

ERITREA

Climex prediction of Zygogramma bicolorata in Ethiopia

Parthenium presence

Andrew McConnachie

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

KenyaUganda

Tanzania

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).