Research results clearly demonstrated that only an integrated approach now termed "Integrated Parthenium Weed Management (IPWM)" involving the various methods could be effective in controlling Parthenium. If a concerted effort is made to adopt IPWM, the results will be visible in the second year and by the third year the Parthenium will come down to a negligible level. The newly suggested IPWM envisages five steps viz.,

• Maintenance of natural biodiversity without disturbing the existing flora to the extent possible under non crop/ public utility areas

• Sowing of Cassia sericea, Cassia tora, Abutilon indicum, Gynandropsis pentaphylla, and Tagetus sp at the start of rainy season. The growth of such plants can insulate opened up soils against invasion by Parthenium. In already infested areas, planting of botanical agents may be taken up at the start of rainy season and there will be no need to plant botanical agents again as it will perpetuate on its own.

• To watch for the commencement of rains and build up of Mexican beetles (Zygogramma) and when the beetles become available in large numbers, they have to be collected and released in Parthenium-invaded areas.

• In case of gardens, flowers beds, lawns intensively cultivated agricultural fields; manual removal has to be taken up. In the manual method, it should be noted that the persons chosen for uprooting the weed should not be allergic to Parthenium.

• In vast stretches of already Parthenium invaded areas and where immediate relief is needed, herbicides such as Atrazine (pre emergence), 2,4-D, Glyphosate and Metribuzin can be used.