Effect of heat treatment and short-duration composting on germination of weeds in green waste

Abstract

The use of minimally processed green (or yard) waste as a mulch for tree crops and vines has the potential to spread weeds. In a laboratory study, the germination of cootamundra wattle (Acacia baileyana) and tomato seeds in green waste was determined at four temperatures (35°C, 45°C, 55°C, and 65°C) and three moisture contents (40%, 50%, and 60% w w -1 w.b.). Moisture content had no significant effect on tomato seed germination at 35°C or 45°C. At 55°C, seed germination was generally greater at 40% or 50% than at 60% moisture content, but the differences were not significant after the first hour of exposure. Cootamundra wattle seeds survived more than 5 h exposure to 55°C and 65°C with no de..