STUDIES ON HERBICIDAL ACTIVITY OF PARTHENIN, A CONSTITUENT OF PARTHENIUM-HYSTEROPHORUS, TOWARDS BILLGOAT WEED (AGERATUM CONYZOIDES)

Parthenin, a constituent of Parthenium hysterophorus, was evaluated fo r herbicidal activity against Ageratum conyzoides (billgoat weed) unde r irt vitro conditions. It inhibited/retarded germination of A, conyzo ides at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.1 mg/ml. Radicle elongat ion and seedling length were severely reduced. The germination of whea t, however, remained unaffected at similar concentrations. The study, therefore, paves a way for possible exploitation of parthenin as a sel ective herbicide.