Investigation of pathogens for biological control of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in Ethiopia

It has been repeatedly indicated that agriculture is the mainstay of the national economy from which 42% of the gross domestic product and 90% of the foreign exchange earning is obtained, and 80% of the nation’s population gets employment and its livelihood (Samuel, 2002). However, it has been a long time since the agricultural production has failed below the demand of the rapidly increasing population growth. This is mainly because the agricultural system of Ethiopia has remained primitive and stagnant passing through little or no technological evolution (PPRC, 1998). Ethiopian agriculture is still limited to the use of hoe and/or oxen/horse plough and intensive family labour including children of all ages and women engaged in farm work. As a result, the base consumption level of the country is far below the minimum nutritional requirement and a much increase in domestic supply is needed from intensification of agricultural production to improve the well-being of the population. Negligence of the field of crop protection has resulted in the rapid expansion and severe development of pests. The progressive development of diseases and insect pests in pre- and post-harvest crops on the one hand and the severe encroachment of parasitic weeds like striga (Striga sp.) to previously non-infested areas and crops, and the build-up of exotic invasive weeds like parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) and prosopis (Prosopis uniflora) in crop and non-crop fields on the other hand are still posing a serious threat to the delicate agriculture of Ethiopia to the point beyond repair by the current level of the nation´s development (PPRC, 1998). Hence, application of crop protection technologies in combination with improved varieties of crops, agronomic practices, and soil and water management are mandatory to increase agricultural productivity.