In India, Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a common weed occupying more than 35 million hectares of agricultural land. To address its impact on agricultural output, biodiversity implications and allelopathic effect, a systematic study was undertaken to examine the biomethanogenic property. As biogas is a sustainable alternative energy fuel, in this study the weed biomass was subjected for biomethanation process in various forms and at various compositional parameters. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) vials were inoculated with slurry from on-going plant-litter based biogas plant, at inoculum substrate ratio of 0.5%, 1% and 2%. The admixtures of weed biomass and co- additives ratios were optimized at 1:0.25, 1:0.5 and 1:1. The physical parameters maintained were 35 days hydraulic retention time, pH 7.2 and 38 – 40oC ambient temperature. There was a significant difference with respect to physico-chemical properties of the untreated (UT) and pretreated (PT) Parthenium. A substantial increase in biogas production after pretreatment was observed. The co- additives mixed in different ratios enhanced the capacity of the weed to produce biogas. The study reveals P.hysterophorus showed best results in the pretreated samples and as well as in combination with co-additives highlighting the provision of improving the BMP for P.hysterophorus with additives for sustainable resource utilization.
