THE EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC COMPOST UPON THE GERMINATION AND EMERGENCE OFBARLEY AND 6 ARABLE WEEDS

In a bioassay, leachate from composted household waste was found to de crease both cress germination and the germination of barley and six ar able weeds, especially in the light. The effect of compost depth upon the emergence of these species was examined in a glasshouse experiment . Compost had no significant effect on barley emergence. However, weed emergence, particularly of those with small seeds, was reduced greatl y by the physical effect of compost and, to a lesser extent, by its ch emical effect. The emergence of the large-seeded species was relativel y unaffected by increasing depths of compost, whereas that of the smal ler-seeded weeds steadily decreased, being almost completely prevented by a 3 cm layer. The use of compost to control arable weeds in the fi eld is discussed.