You are hereResidual weedkiller in manure?
Residual weedkiller in manure?
In my raised beds -I can't understand why spinach seeds are not germinating, tho' sown in April, courgettes and pumpkins not thriving despite watering, and a general lack of thriftiness, with the exception of potatoes which are doing very well. A thought struck me this morning - I added well-rotted farmyard manure in early spring - could there have been residual weedkiller in this which is affecting germination and growth? There are remarkably few weeds in the beds also. Feeling sick at the notion that this is the cause .....
Hi Rosaleen, sorry to hear about your plant problem and it is possible that the maure is the problem.
We have for a few years now been benefiting from our neighbours cow manure, however he has bought a weed killer sprayer this year so we won't be using his manure anymore.
There is a very good article here about the use of common weedkillers in Ireland- http://www.indymedia.ie/article/94312
These weed killers Forefront and Pharaoh are banned in other countries however no action has been taken here about this very serious problem and it seems that no action is even being considered. I find this very shocking and (sligjtly off-topic - sorry ) am really glad that I don't drink cow's milk.
I did a google on the word aminopyralid and found this wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aminopyralid
QUOTE from wiki- Aminopyralid is of concern to vegetable growers as it can enter the food chain via manure which contains long lasting residues of the herbicide. It affects potatoes, tomatoes and beans, causing deformed plants, and poor or non-existent yields. Problems with manure contaminated with Aminopyralid residue surfaced in the UK in June and July 2008, and at the end of July 2008 Dow AgroSciences implemented an immediate suspension of UK sales and use of herbicides containing Aminopyralid. A company statement explained:
"Consistent with its long-standing commitments to product stewardship, and in cooperation with United Kingdom regulators, Dow AgroSciences has asked the Pesticide Safety Directorate (PSD) for a temporary suspension of sales and use of herbicides containing aminopyralid. The suspension shall remain in place until assurances can be given that the product and subsequent treated forage and resultant animal wastes will be handled correctly."[2] END QUOTE from wiki
What do our guys have to say - Quote from indimedia article I have raised these concerns with Minister Brendan Smith at the Department of Agriculture and also with our so-called “Green” Minister for Food Trevor Sargent. Interestingly, their replies, although written months apart, both use the industry-preferred and rather Orwellian phrase “plant protection product” for “herbicide”, and both include, word for word, the same assurance: [I am…] “satisfied that, when this product is used in accordance with label instructions, it can be a very useful tool in the control of weeds (including noxious weeds) without any negative consequences for man, animals or for the environment.” END QUOTE
SAD to say the least, I am also feeling sick at the notion... :-{
In my garden there was poor performance from some species. Slugs were devastating seedlings and despite watering and weeding and protecting them from slugs things seemed to stand still. I had made a fertilising liquid from nettles early in spring and it stinks but when diluted in watering cans and applied evrything just seemed to pick itself up and get growing.
Is the manure you used too fresh? Or is it enough feed for the plants you have?