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Manage Compost and Soil Contaminated With Broadleaf Herbicides

May 26, 2022

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By Lucy Bradley

Check out this new NC State Publication

Manage Compost and Soil Contaminated with Broadleaf Herbicides in Residential, School, and Community Gardens

Persistent broadleaf herbicides are a group of chemicals used to kill weeds and includes both pre-emergent herbicides, applied to the soil to interrupt the germination process, and selective post-emergent herbicides applied directly to the plant to kill broadleaf weeds while not damaging grass. Though they do not kill grass, they can be taken up by grass, consumed by horses or cows, passed through the digestive tract, expelled as manure, and still remain active after composting. Incorporating contaminated compost or grass clippings into your garden can result in damage to broadleaf plants (including many vegetables).

It was created in partnership with the Duke Superfund Research Center

Source : ncsu.edu

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.