Contaminated Manure

[JK]

I am told courgettes and marrows thrive and are unaffected. I don't know if this means they don't absorb residue and are safe to eat or they just aren't affected.

Well my first courgettes look too good to throw away so plan to eat some tonight, if I don't post here tomorrow you'll all know why!

[glallotments]

The RHS suggested planting sensitive plants on the contaminated soil but that seems to mean potatoes and tomatoes. Not quick though is it? Also if the residue is released as the straw decomposes and then dissipates after a 4 week period - which is what DOW told me - (it is this 4 week period during which crops pick up the chemical). So when do you test?

[JK]

Well I'm also rooting some tomato sideshoots which should take a few days, then try them in the contaminated compost. I am hoping that should short-cut the testing time, to perhaps two weeks before the symptoms show. This will not work next spring though when we all need to know if our new batches of compost are safe.

[JK]

It appears that comprehensive testing of aminopyralid was done in Canada.

If you are interested there are 87 pages of results HERE

Thanks Alan thats a good find, it is very detailed to say the least, but there is a useful snippet at 6.1.4 page 30, says that the most sensitive plant is Soybean.

So Soybean (Soyabean?) might be a better candidate for a quick test rather than Cress. Has anyone ever grown any (I haven't), if so any tips? I wonder if the seed is easily available?

[Chantal]

Seeds of Italy sell them

http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/363

[alan refail]

As for growing soya beans. Joy Larckom, Oriental Vegetables, suggests 12-15C as "sufficient" for germination but thinks 17-20C would be "optimum".

[JK]

Chantal & Alan, thanks for the info. I also found a couple of small sections on how to sprout Soya Beans in "The Veg & Herb Expert".

[glallotments]

JK,
I spoke to Trading Standards this morning and if you suspect a product - bought bagged from a supermarket maybe you should talk to your local ts department. Unfortunately they can't investigate manure but the guy I spoke to was by far on of the most helpful contacts so far.

Also anyone with their own blog or website then do post a message on your blog etc warning gardeners about all of this.

[JK]

Just had a quick look around my veg patch this morning and was thinking how good my onions are looking after a bit of rain, and suddenly the penny dropped; I spread this contaminated compost all over my patch, so even those veg that don't look affected must contain this chemical residue. I guess I need to destroy everything? I was thinking it was just the toms, spud & beans that I couldn't eat. It's worse than I thought

[Tel]

Interesting thread.
My plots have been affected to a degree. At least the BBC Midands(TV)did a report last night.
The publicity must go on, it's now considered to be two years for the soil microbes to finally do their job in breaking down this 'Aminopyralid' herbicide.
Makes 'Organic' a bit of a joke?

[glallotments]

Tel,
If you email me via a private message then I'll with some details - I'll add you to me list of victims on the web site http://glallotments.co.uk/Manure9.aspx
Where has the information that it will take two years to dissipate come from as no-one has suggested that to me yet.

Someone who emailed me about their experiences had the problem last year and has grown crops OK this.

[glallotments]

Gardeners' Question Time mentioned the problem yesterday but still national media in general seem not to be interested.

I have posted additional information on my website and will keep doing so as I get it.

There is something on using indicators plants - I emailed a few questions to the RHS and there is also some additional reading links at the bottom of the page. Still getting emails and postings from newly affected people or people who just realise that they are affected. Please keep that coming.

http://glallotments.co.uk/ACManure.aspx

[JK]

You can listen to yesterday's GQT here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/networks/radio4/aod.shtml?radio4/gqt

glallotments: it's interesting to learn what the RHS say about 'indicator plants' - I'm not convinced this is going to be a practical test for the majority. I want to do something for peace of mind next year and I guess everyone else that has suffered this devasation will. But it will mean getting all your compost ready and seed sown for trial very early in the season.

My own trial of tomato seedlings are showing the first results. After 7 days:
100% 'contaminated compost': 4 seedlings emerged.
50% 'contaminated compost': 1 seedling.
100% 'normal compost': none.

It's a paradox that the 'contaminated' compost appears to be 'better' at this early stage. I wasn't expecting this and speculate that the hormone effect of the weedkiller is stimulating germination.

('normal' compost is a peat free seed compost. 'contaminated' compost is the stuff I already had that has devastated my veg plot).

I will get a few photos of my trials, and maybe create a blog. This last weekend I started more trials using mustard, cress & onion. I have also ordered some soya bean seed.

My intention is to repeat the trials later in the year to see if there is any lessening of the weedkiller effect.

I had another thought about over- wintering a few rooted side shoots from tomatoes. Maybe these can be nursed indoors and used in the early spring as indicators. Anyone ever done this?

[glallotments]

John,
I wasn't convinced which is why I asked them the questions that I did. Effects can be seen in one part of the soil and not another right alongside. Damage will only occur when the residue is released so when do you test etc etc.

Their idea is to use indicator plants in Feb next year - (but they suggest tomato cuttings - they'd die in our area anyway at that time of year).

[glallotments]

Sky news web page has an article about Gordon Brown complaining that we are wasting food. I have emailed a comment about how much food this problem is wasting. If many more of us do maybe it will be noted. the link is http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Busine ... do#comment

Sorry its so long - comments are moderated so may not get though but we can try!
BBC have a comments area too http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread. ... 0707153934