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Japanese knotweed composting feasibility study, Delaware County, NY

Explore a study on composting Japanese knotweed at Delaware County's facility without compromising compost quality. Results show effective eradication of knotweed with controlled heat. Concludes composting is feasible. Useful "Sentinels" for assessment.

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Japanese knotweed composting feasibility study, Delaware County, NY

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  1. Japanese knotweed composting feasibility study, Delaware County, NY Laurence Day, Jessica Rall — Delaware County SWCD Susan McIntyre — Delaware County DPW Charles Terrance — SUNY Delhi

  2. Managing Invasive Species(e.g. Polygonum cuspidatum) • Effect of climate change on invasives = ? • We need a variety of Disposal Options

  3. Problem: Invasives at Stream Rehab Sites Stream Rehab & Realignments • [photo of knotweed at stream site]

  4. Drying extricated plants for burning, during a wet summer…

  5. Delaware County Solid Waste Composting Facility, Walton Why not compost removed knotweed? Might this compromise weed-free status of the county’s compost? Biosolids composting requires sustained temperatures ≥55° C for 3 consecutive days.

  6. “Sentinel Chamber” LIVE (Compost)

  7. Knotweed sample collection site

  8. 30 Samples each of 4 Tissue Types

  9. Wrapped in Nylon Netting “Wontons”

  10. Compost+Wanton+Compost+…

  11. Filled “Knotweed Sentinel”

  12. Four Treatment Groups + Control 1. Three sentinels buried in compost for 3 days. 2. Six sentinels buried in compost for 6 days. 3. Moist heat only, 52° - 55° C for 3 days. 4. ‘Equipment blank’ placed samples in wontons & sentinels, then into growth chamber for 6 days. 5. Control Group planted directly into growth chamber at SUNY Delhi.

  13. Nine Sentinels Buried in Compost Two Groups: 3-days or 6-days 55° - 63° C, mean=61.3° C (142° F)

  14. Moist Heat Treatment 52° - 55° C for 3 consecutive days

  15. Inspection and Potting

  16. Growth Chamber, Summer Conditions 27° C “days” (lights on) 19 ° C “nights” (lights off)

  17. 100% GROWTH vs. 0% GROWTH CONTROL GROUP COMPOST-BURIED GROUP

  18. RESULTS • Both composting (≥3 d at >55° C) and moist heat (≥3 d at 52°-55° C) effectively killed all growth of roots and crowns (P<.01). • Root and Crown samples much more likely to sprout and grow than leaf or stem samples. • Sentinels performed well, although heat softened plastics; careful removal needed.

  19. Conclusions • Temperatures adequate to safely compost biosolids are also appear effective on Japanese knotweed vegetation. • It appears feasible to compost knotweed at the Delaware County SWM facility, not compromising “weed-free” status of compost. • Simple, inexpensive “Sentinels” proved useful to safely assess composting feasibility for invasives.

  20. NY Biosolids Composting Locations (26 Locations in 19 Counties)

  21. Epilogue ↗

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