Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Research, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) has warned the people about the presence of foreign weeds in the State. OUAT says the foreign weeds have found their way into Orissa and are dangerous both to animals and humans.
Senior Agronomist of Weed Control Project of OUAT Sudhansu Sekher Mishra said five noxious alien invasive weeds such as Giant Rag weed, Spiny Burr Grass, Hounds Tongue, Horse Nettle and European Field Pancy have found their way to the country through import of 6.2 million tonne of wheat from other countries like Australia, Russia, Canada, Hungary, Argentina and France during 2006-07. “The wheat came to Orissa through the Public Distribution System and was distributed in all parts of the State,” he said, adding that along with the wheat seeds of the foreign grass had made inroads into the villages of the State.
Mishra also announced that if anyone gives information about the presence of the five foreign weeds, Rs 1,000 would be given as reward. People can give information on the mobile number 9338061870. He said we have already located the seeds in Sambalpur and sent it a laboratory in Jabalpur.
Describing these foreign weeds as poisonous, Mishra said these weeds were responsible for reducing crop production, causing skin disease, cancer, liver damage, dermatitis and eye diseases both in humans and animals. Besides reducing crop yield, they are a potential threat to plant diversity. These weeds grow in grain and vegetable field, orchards, pastures, nurseries, on road side, waste land, river bank and gardens.
In order to stop the spread of the of disease, OUAT has taken up a special project in 12 districts namely Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Boudh, Kandhamal and Sonepur. “In the second phase another nine districts will be taken up for surveillance,” he said, adding that the project would continue for two years. “We have intensified our surveillance to find out the seeds,” Mishra added.
He further said many noxious weeds like Parathenium hysterophorus, Lantana Camara, Water hyacinth, Mikania micrantha, Mimosa pudica, Ipomea Carnea which were earlier introduced from abroad in earlier days, were now causing serious problem to the environment, human beings, livestock and were also responsible for reduction in crop yield. Senior scientists SK Mohanty, Bibhuti Bhusan Dalei and KN Mishra were present at the Press conference.