Survival of Weed Seeds and Seed Pathogen Propagates in Composted Grass Seed Straw

Churchill, D. B.; Alderman, S. C.; Mueller‐Warrant, George W.; Elliott, L. F.; Bilsland, D. M.

doi:10.13031/2013.25439

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…In 2000, researchers reported pile moisture and temperatures of 60°C correlated well with loss of seed viability (Eghball and Lesoing 2000). Others found that internal pile temperatures greatly affected the survival of grass seeds and pathogens (Churchill et al 1995;Grundy et al 1998). These studies support the results of the current demonstration study.…”

Section: Temperature Rangessupporting

confidence: 76%

Compost Recipe Development and Weed Seed Viability Evaluation with Cranberry Leaves

Sandler

Shumaker

Mason

2003

Compost Science & Utilization

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A small-pile demonstration study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of composting cranberry leaves on commercial cranberry farms in Southeastern Massachusetts. The recipe ratios tested were: 20:0:0 (cranberry leaves only), 10:10:2, and 10:10:1 (leaves:horse manure and bedding:fish hydrolysate). Both mixed recipes generated thermophilic temperatures (between 43-66°C for at least 20 d), conditions known to destroy many plant pathogens and weed seeds. Analysis of leaf samples indicated that all three recipes were more acidic than most other types of compost (values below pH 6). Nitrogen levels were at or below the low-end (0.45-0.75% N) of the typical level seen with most compost (1% N). The final C:N ratios (22:1 to 38:1) were within the acceptable range for many uses. The mixed piles attained thermophilic temperatures for sufficient duration to prevent germination of the seven species of weeds tested. Leaf residue levels for eight common cranberry pesticides were also determined. The insecticide, chlorpyrifos, and the metabolite of the herbicide dichlobenil, BAM (2,6-dichlorobenzamide), were detected at levels below food tolerance and slightly above the food tolerance threshold, respectively. These levels were within a range that would allow the pursuit of commercial development of the compost since ingestion is not an anticipated end-product use. The data from this preliminary demonstration study would suggest that the composted product would be acceptable for use on-farm as well as for distribution to other off-farm sites, but additional replicated research studies are warranted.

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Section: Temperature Rangessupporting

confidence: 76%

Compost Recipe Development and Weed Seed Viability Evaluation with Cranberry Leaves

Sandler

Shumaker

Mason

2003

Compost Science & Utilization

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“…Secondly, minimizing the period of stockpiling before composting would help increase the temperatures (>55°C) within the windrows, thus allowing a higher rate of decomposition and pasteurization to be achieved. As well as this, increasing the number of turns the compost windrows received (from four to five) would lengthen the period in which feedstock material was exposed to composting and subsequently reduce the percentage of viable plant material surviving the composting process (Churchill et al, 1995). In addition, an increase in the size of the compost windrows would raise internal temperatures as the windrow's surface area to volume ratio is reduced (Michel et al, 1996), however, the maximum potential size of the windrow may be limited by the size of the machinery used to turn the windrow.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Risk Assessment of Compost Prepared from Salvinia, Egeria densa, and Alligator Weed

et al. 2009

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Approximately 70,000 m(3) of salvinia (Salvinia molesta) was removed from the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, during 2004. This study assessed the risks associated with applying compost prepared from aquatic weeds (AWC) to land, namely, survival and spread of aquatic and terrestrial weeds, eutrophication of waterways, accumulation of heavy metals and phytotoxicity. The results demonstrate composting is an effective method of reducing the viability of aquatic and terrestrial weeds. However, mortality of alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), which was used as an indicator plant, was significantly (P < 0.001) correlated with the temperature within the windrows and the length of time the material was subjected to composting. Conditions within the central core of the windrow were sufficient to kill the alligator weed, although not all of the aquatic weed material was exposed to the windrows' central core. This resulted in alligator weed continuing to grow at the base of the windrow. To reduce the risk of weeds surviving and spreading in aquatic and terrestrial environments it is suggested compost windrows should be located on an appropriate hard pad to enable complete mixing of the material and ensure all material is exposed to temperatures >55 degrees C for greater than three consecutive days. The likelihood of other risks associated with the AWC was low. If composting is selected as the preferred method for managing organic material harvested from waterways, then ongoing monitoring and evaluation is required to validate the composting process and ensure consumer confidence in the final product.

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“…A large number of factors may be involved, including the base materials going into the compost (Hoitink and Boehm 1999), the moisture, carbon availability and fungal diversity of the pile (Soares et al 1995), and the frequency and efficiency of turning operations (Churchill et al 1995). The most apparent difference between the two windrow composting facilities is that facility W2 has specially designed windrow turning equipment (Scarab compost turner), while facility W1 uses front-end loaders for turning.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytophthora ramorumcan survive introduction into finished compost

Swain¹,

Garbelotto²

2015

Cal Ag

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Composted municipal green waste is a potential vehicle for the transmission of Phytophtora ramorum, the pathogen responsible for the disease known as sudden oak death. To assess the survival rate of the pathogen in compost, we introduced zoospores -a type of infectious propagule -into six composts of varying provenance and maturity. The compost samples represented three production facilities, two production techniques (turned windrow and forced air static pile) and two levels of maturity (fresh, defined as aged for less than 1 week; and mature, aged for more than 4 weeks). Positive re-isolations -indicating survival of the pathogen -were obtained from all composts. The re-isolation rate from the compost from one of the three production facilities was greater than that obtained from an inert substrate (filter paper) inoculated with the pathogen (P < 0.01), while re-isolation rates from the other two sources were statistically indistinguishable from those obtained from the inert substrate (P > 0.01). There was no significant difference in re-isolation rate between composts produced by the turned windrow method and composts produced by the forced air static pile technique. Re-isolation rates were greater from mature composts than from fresh composts (P < 0.01). The results show that P. ramorum may be present and infectious if introduced into finished compost, and that variations in compost characteristics appear to influence survival rates.

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Survival of Weed Seeds and Seed Pathogen Propagates in Composted Grass Seed Straw

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

Compost Recipe Development and Weed Seed Viability Evaluation with Cranberry Leaves

Compost Recipe Development and Weed Seed Viability Evaluation with Cranberry Leaves

Environmental Risk Assessment of Compost Prepared from Salvinia, Egeria densa, and Alligator Weed

Phytophthora ramorumcan survive introduction into finished compost

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