Project
Management of the Weed Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in Eastern and Southern Africa Using Integrated Cultural and Biological Measures
Details
Project Code:
Not Available
Start Date:
2004
End Date:
2009
CRSP Phase:
Phase 3
Budget:
$520,000
Countries:
Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda
Participants
Lead University:
Virginia Tech
Other Partners:
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research - Plant Protection, Haramaya University (Ethiopia); Research Institute-South Africa (South Africa); Plant Protection Research Institute-Queensland- Australia (Australia)
Principal Investigator(s):
Wondi Mersie
Co-Principal Investigator(s):
Lulseged Gebrehiwot; Lorraine Strathie; Andrew McConnachie; Steve Atkins; Arnie Witt; Kassahun Zewdie; Mohammed Dawd; Lisanework Nigatu
Links
Overview
The IPM CRSP parthenium project sought alternative control strategies against parthenium weed, including testing the leaf-feeding beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) as a biological control agent after establishing standard quarantine rooms equipped with the necessary materials.
Objectives
The main objectives were to maintain and multiply the introduced bioagent (Z.bicolorata); to evaluate the beetle extensively in enclosed quarantine conditions to determine the potential host plants in Ethiopia; and eventually release and monitor the insect in selected parthenium infested sites.
Outcomes
Coming soon