[Community_garden] Herbicide in Manure

[Mike McGrath]

No, no, no! That is completely wrong!
Bt is NOT an herbicide.
There are several different forms of the naturally occurring soil bacteria Bt-that's short for Bacillus thuringensis-and each Bt controls a specific pest. The one that controls caterpillars-BTK-is sold under brand names like Dipel, Thuricide and Green Step and has been around for close to half a century now.



It is technically an insecticide in that it kills insects that (when used in a non-GM format) eat the sprayed leaves of the plant, but it is not an herbicide in any way, shape or form.



                                                    ----Fightin' McG

    

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Josh Salans 
  To: Mike McGrath ; gordonse at one.net ; community_garden at list.communitygarden.org 
  Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 3:44 PM
  Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Herbicide in Manure


  This is not true. BT Corn and Cotton both contain the Bacillus thuringiensis and it is a herbicide.
  Every cell of the corn cob has this naturally occurring killer. I do not know its repercussions at composting but I dont think its a question that should be brushed off.

  Josh


  ----- Original Message ----
  From: Mike McGrath <MikeMcG at PTD.net>
  To: gordonse at one.net; community_garden at list.communitygarden.org
  Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 12:01:10 PM
  Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Herbicide in Manure


  I think you're misunderstanding how these GM crops work.
      The only herbicide involvement I know of in the Frankenfood world is the 
  "Round-up Ready" gene. This is bred into corn, cotton, and especially 
  soybeans to make them super-resistant to that nasty frog killing herbicide, 
  allowing the fields to be soaked with vast amounts of Round-Up--at levels 
  that would wipe out a 'normal' crop (or any non Round-up Ready plant).
      No herbicide is actually bred into crops; that wouldn't make any sense. 
  (Not that GM crops make sense, but...)

                                          ---Science Geek McG
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: <gordonse at one.net>
  To: <community_garden at list.communitygarden.org>
  Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:42 PM
  Subject: [Community_garden] Herbicide in Manure


  > We have a tricky situation here and would appreciate any advice.
  >
  > Our gardens have access to a horse manure source again.  In the past we
  > have read of animals being fed herbicide treated gmo grains as part of
  > their diet.  The herbicide on the grains makes it through the animal and
  > into the manure.  The herbicide also survives the usual composting
  > process.
  >
  > We  would like to use the composted horse manure if we can, so we asked
  > the horse farm if there are gmo grains in the grain blend they feed their
  > horses as a treat.  (Horses are mostly on pasture.)  The horse farm didn't
  > know, but gave me the name of their supplier.  The supplier didn't know
  > and said they would have the people that blended their horse feed mix call
  > me.  In the meanwhile we have waited two more weeks for an answer.  (Will
  > follow up as necessary.)
  >
  > Here I should probably note that we have a mix of gardeners on the
  > gardening organic spectrum.  Many won't be using the composted manure
  > since it's not organic.  Others will use it if it "just" has pesticide
  > residue and not herbicide residue as they spray their own garden food with
  > pesticide.  Some don't mind the herbicide if it's no longer active as they
  > spray herbicides on their own food gardens.  However no one wants to use
  > it on their food beds or rows if it still contains some active herbicides.
  >
  > If we can't get an answer or it turns out that there is gmo feed in the
  > mix, we have several questions:
  > 1) Is there a likely state group who can test for herbicides in the manure
  > for free or frugally?  (Have already asked master gardeners and they
  > didn't know)
  > 2) Is there a national testing service that is good and frugal?
  > 3) Is there a canary type test we could use in the garden such as growing
  > a highly sensitive plant in a mix of our soil and the composted manure?
  > If so what soil-manure ratio should we use and which annual vegetable
  > plants are the most sensitive to the herbicides?
  > 4) If it does contain active herbicide residue, how much additional or
  > total composting time is it likely to take to break down all the
  > herbicide?
  >
  > Sharon
  > gordonse at one.net
  >
  >
  >
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