Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-16T11:50:13.020Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Phytotoxicity factors and herbicide contamination in relation to compost quality management practices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2007

T.Craig Blewett ,
David W. Roberts  and
William F. Brinton
T.Craig Blewett*
Affiliation:
Dow AgroSciences, 9330 Zionsville Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46077, USA.
David W. Roberts
Affiliation:
Dow AgroSciences, 9330 Zionsville Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46077, USA.
William F. Brinton
Affiliation:
Woods End Research Laboratory, PO Box 297, 290 Belgrade Road, Mt. Vernon, ME 04352, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: tcblewett@dow.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The practice of composting mixed green wastes from community collection programs has been on the increase as a means to reduce organic debris to landfills. Recent reports of plant injury have appeared and were attributed to residues of the herbicide clopyralid in compost. Phytotoxicity issues with compost have been reported previously to result from other factors, including heavy metal content, soluble salts, organic acids and oxygen deprivation related to incomplete decomposition. The recent reports of plant injury due to clopyralid-contaminated compost were also associated with very heavy applications of compost, yet few of these reports included observations of herbicide symptomology. Since immature compost may contain sufficient degradation intermediates, soluble salts and other contaminants to cause phytotoxicity, particularly when applied at heavy rates, an effort must be made to distinguish confounding factors. Complete composting normally allows for the degradation of phytotoxic intermediates and synthetic compounds, such as herbicides, as well as allowing for leaching of salts. Absence of compost completeness standards within the compost industry leaves such factors to the guesswork of the end-user. Recommended compost use rates have established a relationship between compost maturity, application rate and use pattern, based on compost quality metrics. Greater attention to the use of high-quality compost, properly designated as to completeness of composting and applied at appropriate use rates, would minimize the potential for phytotoxic effects, irrespective of the contributing source.

Keywords

compostclopyralidherbicidecontaminationimmaturity
Type
Research Article
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , June 2005 , pp. 67 - 72
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1BioCycle. 1991. The Art and Science of Composting. JG Press Inc., Emmaus, PA.Google Scholar
2Nielsen, S. 2003. Herbicides and Compost. SFIREG meeting,17 july 2003.UC-Davis,Davis, CA.Google Scholar
3Organic Advisory Board Meeting. 2004. Minutes of the OABM,23 October 2004.George, WA.Google Scholar
4Burkhart, E.P. 2002. Compost utilization in high tunnel cropping systems: opportunities and challenges. MSc Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.Google Scholar
5NY State Department of Environmental Conservation. 2003. Composting and Other Class A Organic Waste Processing Facilities. Solid Waste Management Facilities. Albany, NY. Subpart 360–5. Chapter 360.Google Scholar
6US Composting Council. 1996. Field Guide to Compost Use. Holbrook, NY. Available at Web site http://compostingcouncil.org (verified 8 October 2004).Google Scholar
7Hogg, D., Barth, J., Favoino, E., Centemero, M., Amlinger, F., Devliegher, W., Brinton, W. and Antler, S. (2002) Comparison of Compost Standards Within the EU, North America and Australasia. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). Oxon, UK.Google Scholar
8Changa, C.M., Wang, P., Watson, M.E., Hoitink, H.A.J., Michel, F.C. Jr. 2003. Assessment of the reliability of a commercial maturity test kit for composted manures. Compost Science and Utilization 11: 125–143.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9Morel, P. and Guillemain, G. (2004) Assessment of the possible phytotoxicity of a substrate using an easy and representative biotest. Acta Horticulture 644: 417–423.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10Brinton, W. 1998. Compost remediation of agri-chemical residues and potential for soil re-use.Proceedings, International Conference on Pesticide Use in Developing Countries: Impact on Health and Environment, Universidad Nacional,San Jose, Costa Rica,23–28 February.Google Scholar
11Roe, N. (2003) Why vegetable growers don't use compost. Collier County Collier County Cooperative Extension. In Ozores Hampton, M., Roe, N., Hanlon, E. and Gardner, C. (eds). Advanced Topics in Compost Utilization. Symposium Proceedings, 4 February, Naples, Florida. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, University of Florida [produced on CD].Google Scholar
12Long, C. 1999. Buying compost: the good news and the bad news. Organic Gardening July/August.Google Scholar
13Pickering, J., Haward, R., Green, M., DeWhist, C., Phillips, L., Hitchings, R., and Rayns, F. 2004. UK Market Assessment for Composted Materials in Organic Farming. Waste Resources Action Programme, Report ORG 1–006, Banbury, UK.Google Scholar
14Carlile, W.R. 2004. Growing media and the environmental lobby in the UK 1997–2001. Proceedings of the International Society on Growing Media. Acta Horticulturae 644: 107–110.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15Schliess, K. 2002. Kompost Vermarktung in der Schweiz [Compost Marketing in Switzerland]. Report to the Swiss Agency for Environment.BUWAL, Bern, Switzerland.Google Scholar
16Dougherty, M. (ed.). 1999. Field Guide to On-Farm Composting. Natural Resource, Agricultural and Engineering Service (NRAES), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.Google Scholar
17Environmental Protection Agency. 1993. Standards for the Use and Disposal of Sewage Sludge. Federal Register 58 (32), 19 February, p. 9248. Also available at Web site http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/biosolids/503pe/index.htm (verified 8 October 2004).Google Scholar
18US Composting Council. 2004. Compost Communicator. Summer, 2004. US Composting Council, Holbrook, NY.Google Scholar
19USDA National Organic Program. 2004. NOP Regulations and Guidelines. §205.203. Soil Fertility and Crop Nutrient Management Standard. Available at Web site http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop (verified 8 October 2004).Google Scholar
20Bar-Tal, A., Yermiyahu, U., Beraud, J., Keinan, M., Rosenberg, R., Zohar, D., Rosen, V. and Fine, P. (2004) Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by wheat and their distribution in soil following successive, annual compost applications. Journal of Environmental Quality 33: 1855–1865.Google Scholar
21Larney, F.J., Olson, A.F., Carcamo, A.A. and Chang, C. (2000). Physical changes during active and passive composting of beef feedlot manure in winter and summer. Bioresource Technology 75: 139–148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22Kehres, B. and Pohle, A. (1998) Methodenbuch zur Analyse von Kompost.German Compost Quality Association,Cologne, Germany.Google Scholar
23ASCP (2001) Quality criteria for composts and digestates from biodegradable waste management.Association of Swiss Compost Plants.VKS, Zentrumsplatz 5, Postfach, CH-3322 Schönbühl, Switzerland. Available at Web site http://www.vks-asic.ch (verified 8 October 2004).Google Scholar
24Brinton, W. 1985. Nitrogen response of maize to fresh and composted manure. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 3: 55–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25Epstein, E. (ed.). 1997. The Science of Composting. Technomic Publishing Company, Lancaster, PA.Google Scholar
26AASHTO (American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials). 2003. Standard Specification for Compost for Erosion/Sediment Control (Filter Berms). AASHTO Designation MP-9. AASHTO, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
27Kirchoff, C., Malina, J., and Barret, M. 2003. Characteristics of Composts: Moisture Holding and Water Quality Improvement. Center for Transportation Research, Report 0-4403-2, University of Texas, Austin, TX. Also available at Web site http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr (verified 11 October 2004).Google Scholar
28Bary, A., Cogger, C., and Sullivan, D. 2002. What does compost analysis tell you about your compost? Poster given at the Biologically Intensive and Organic Farming Research Conference,Yakima, Washington. Available at Web site http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt/Abstracts&Pubs/Poster-CompostAnalysis.htm (verified 8 October 2004).Google Scholar
29CIWMB (California Integrated Waste Management Board). 2002. Compost: Matching Performance Needs with Product Characteristics. California Integrated Waste Management Board, Sacramento, California. Available at Web site http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov (verified 8 October 2004).Google Scholar
30Composting Council. 1995. Suggested Compost Parameters and Compost use Guidelines. The Composting Council, Alexandria, Virginia, USA.Google Scholar
31Stoffella, P.J. (ed.). 2001. Compost Utilization in Horticulture Cropping Systems. Lewis Publishers, New York, NY.Google Scholar
32Gouin, F.R. 1994. Utilizing compost in the landscape and nursery. In Heuser, C.W. (ed.). Recycling and Resource Conservation: A Reference Guide to Nursery and Landscape Industries. Pennsylvania Nurserymen's Association, Inc., Harrisburg, PA. p. 137–146.Google Scholar
33Spalvins, E. 2003. Compost quality and marketing issues for nursery uses. Collier County Cooperative Extension. In Ozores-Hampton, M., Roe, N., Hanlon, E., and Gardner, C.(eds). Advanced Topics in Compost Utilization. Symposium Proceedings, 4 Feburary, Naples, Florida. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, University of Florida [produced on CD].Google Scholar
34Sternberg, P.D., Ulery, A.L. and Villa-C., M. 2001. Salinity and boron effects on growth and yield of tepary and kidney beans. HortScience 36:7: 1269–1272.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
35El-Iklil, Y., Karrou, M. and Benichou, M. 2000. Salt stress effect on epinasty in relation to ethylene production and water relations in tomato. Agronomie 20: 399–406.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
36Brinton, W. and Evans, E. 2002. Plant performance in relation to oxygen depletion, CO 2 -rate and volatile fatty acids in container media composts of varying maturity. In Insam, H., Riddels, N. and Klammer, S. (eds). Microbiology of Composting. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. p.335–345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
37Rynk, R. (ed.). 1992. On-Farm Composting Handbook. NRAES-54. National Resource, Agriculture and Engineering Service Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, NY.Google Scholar
38Brinton, W. and Evans, E. (2002) Herbicides in compost: Potential effects on plants. Composting News, April.Google Scholar
39Bary, A., Myhre, L. and Cogger, C. 2002. Large Pot Greenhouse Trial with Clopyralid-Sensitive Garden Plants. Washington State University, Puyallup. Available at Web site http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt/ClopyrBigPot2.htm (Verified 8 October 2004).Google Scholar
40Seiber, J.N., Robert, C.C., Hills, D.J., McCutcheon, O.D., Miller, G., Pettygroove, G.S. and Winterlin, W.W. 1990. Utilization of cotton gin waste: Technology demonstration and safety testing of composting, and evaluation of alternate utilization strategies. Components Newsletter, Spring. Available at Web site http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/newsltr/components/v1n2/sa-4.htm (Verified 8 October 2004).Google Scholar
41Brinton, W.W., Evans, E., and Blewett, T.C. 2004. Dissipation of clopyralid residues during thermophilic and cure composting. Proceedings, Fourth International Conference, Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds,Monterey, CA,24–27 May.Google Scholar
42Stephenson, G., Charbonneau, P., Lang, S., Bowhey, C., and Carter, M. 1996. Persistence of commonly used lawn pesticides (2,4-D, mecoprop, dicamba, chlorpyrifos and chlorothalonil) in composted turfgrass clippings. GTI Annual Research Report 1996. Guelph Turfgrass Institute, Ontario, Canada, p. 63–69. Also available at Web site http://www.uoguelph.ca/GTI/res96txt.htm (verified 8 October 2004).Google Scholar
43Büyüksönmez, F., Rynk, R., Hess, T.F., and Bechinski, E. (2000) Occurrence, degradation and fate of pesticides during composting. Part II. Occurrence and fate of pesticides in compost and composting systems. Compost Science and Utilization 8:(1): 61–81.Google Scholar
44Bugbee, G.J., and Saraceno, R.A. 1994. Phytotoxicity of compost treated with lawn herbicides containing 2,4-D, dicamba, and MCPP. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 42: 606–611.Google Scholar
45Said-Pullicono, D., Gigliotti, G., and Vella, A. 2004. Environmental fate of triasulfuron in soils amended with municipal waste compost. Journal of Environmental Quality 33: 1743–1751.Google Scholar
46Vandervoort, C., Zabik, M.J., Branham, B., and Lickfeldt, D.W. 1997. Fate of selected pesticides applied to turfgrass: Effect of composting on residues. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 58: 38–45.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed