Parthenium invasion in Malaysia: a possibility of ecological disaster

Dr. S. M. Rezaul Karim Professor, Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus (rezaul@umk.edu.my)

Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) is an invasive and obnoxious weed, which is native to Mexico. It has invaded many countries including India, Australia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri lanka. It has caused remarkable ecological and economical losses in those places. In India, the weed has been rated as the Worst Weed of the century. Until now no record is available in Malaysia. But very recently (03 September 2013), Prof. Dr. S. M. Rezaul Karim, from the Faculty of AgroBased Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan in his preliminary survey found the weed to be present infesting roadsides in Batang Kali, Selangor. The exact site is near the Masjid Hulu Yam Bharu on the edge of Jalan B57 and also near the bank of Sungai Liam.

Map showing the site (green arrow) where parthenium was observed in Batang Kali

Closer view of the weed

The site on which Parthenium was observed to be present in Batang Kali

The weed has severe allergenic effect on human and animal health. In India, at least 11 persons died due to the diseases caused by this weed. Among the probable human diseases are skin dematitis/eczema, hay fever, itching and reddening of the skin, respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis etc. In case of livestock, it may cause allergic inflammation of mouth and udder, rashes on skin, ulceration of mouth and digestive tracts. In severe cases the animals may perish. When the cows and goats consume the weed, the quality of milk is impaired due to unacceptable odour and the mutton get tainted.

Direct contact of the weed with the skin, hands, feet and ingestion of parthenium pollens through nose are dangerous for human and animal health.

Allergic effect (eczema) of parthenium on human (cited from Adkins, 2010)

The weed spreads very fast just like wildfire in the dry forest. It can complete its life cycle within one month only.

Allergic effect found on goats mouth (cited from Adkins, 2010)

Prof. Karim during his survey, noticed that near the infested area there were some vegetable and water melon farms managed by a number of private companies. It is suspected that during importation of agricultural materials (seed, compost, implements etc.) from parthenium-infested countries the weed seeds may have been introduced in the area. Since,
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nobody in that area were aware about this weed being an environmental pollutant, it has therefore remained undisturbed for some time and consequently has get itself established. However, the population size of the weed at present is not so extensive and is controllable. It is recommended that proper eradication programme be initiated as soon as possible. Integrated weed management involving chemical control and physical removal should be done. For protection during during weed control practices in the field/farm hands and face should be well protected by using proper hand gloves and masks, respectively. After uprooting the weeds, these should be burned in a deep pit and then buried to a depth of 1 m. Community awareness should be adopted through different media channels to inform Malaysians on how they can partake in early eradication programme to avoid this alien weed species becoming a potential ecological disaster.