Lantana camara, an invasive plant species considered among the worst weeds, has emerged as a troublesome factor for farmers, especially those with agriculture lands in the hilly forest areas of erstwhile undivided Adilabad district.
It has been rapidly spreading owing to what experts believe is loss of forest density.
Spending money, energy
Farmer Ghugge Maruti of Jamni village in Jainoor mandal of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district says an invasion by lantana means spending an excess of energy and money in uprooting it.
“I spend at least ₹2,000 per acre in removing the weed once during both kharif and rabi seasons,” he said.
The bushy weed spreads very fast and does not allow anything to grow under it. The spread even deprives animals of green fodder. “I burn the weed and then plough the place to uproot its roots,” Mr. Maruti says.
“It is not killed easily as the seeds seem to be present everywhere and sprout soon after,” he adds.
Sudhanshu Kasbe, coordinator of the Adilabad District Agriculture Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centre, explains, “The spread of lantana camara was restricted when the forests were thick as less sunlight filtered in for it to flourish. Loss of vegetation density has given the bushy weed enough space to proliferate. Forest fires destroy the native species and provide conducive atmosphere as well as space for lantana to occupy. As a result, it shifts local species.”
Biological approach
With regard to efforts by the government or scientists to tackle the menace, Dr. Kasbe said there have not been any significant efforts in this regard of late.
“About two decades ago, a biological weed control method was quite effectively used in the country which saw the tingidae lace bug (teleonemia scrupulosa), agromyzid seedfly (ophiomyia lantanea) etc. destroying lantana,” Mr Kasbe points out, rooting for the method instead of the use of chemicals.
The scientist, however, has a word of caution for the biological approach of controlling lantana spread.
Mr. Kasbe says that an integrated approach should be adopted as the natural enemies of lantana camara are prone to parasitism by other insects.