The need for research and development of effective approaches to weed control continues to increase globally. Adaptive protocols using diverse control methods are often required in ecological restoration as recruitment of native species is highly site‐specific, species‐specific, and experimental. The use of composted weed refuse to control other weeds may be a practical option; yet, the option is not well studied due to the accompanied risk of introducing weed propagules to areas where weed control is desired. Here, we tested the effectiveness of different physical control techniques including the use of mulch made by composting weed refuse on‐site. English ivy ( Hedera helix ), a non‐native, invasive species in the Pacific northwestern United States, was removed from a heavily invaded site, shredded, and composted. The mulch was compared with other methods of suppressing herb Robert ( Geranium robertianum ), another invasive species on‐site. Five treatments were tested: flame‐weeding, hand‐pulling, mulching, hand‐pulling followed by mulching, and flame‐weeding followed by mulching. The mulch and pull/mulch treatments were the most effective, reducing G. robertianum cover by 92 and 86% of pre‐treatment levels, respectively, and suppressing G. robertianum 2.9 and 1.6 times more than the control, respectively. The mechanism behind the effectiveness of the mulch is uncertain, but may be related to weed seed burial or the allelopathic potential of the mulch. Composting one invasive species to use as mulch to control another can be effective and merits trial elsewhere.
The feeding value of ground yellow peas (Pisum sativum L. variety Miranda) as a protein source for market turkeys was evaluated in two experiments. Turkeys fed diets consisting of corn-soybean meal (CS) and corn-soybean meal-pea with (CSP+F) and without (CSP-F) supplemental fat were evaluated for growth, carcass, and meat quality. Peas were incorporated in the diets at levels ranging from 25% in the starter to 55% in the finisher diet. In Experiment 1, two diets, CS and CSP+F, were fed from day-old to 15 weeks and 2 days in females and 19 weeks in males. No significant differences (P>.05) in growth rate, feed:gain ratios (combined sexes), carcass yield, or objective and sensory evaluation of the cooked meats (female) were observed between the treatments. Abdominal fat levels in both sexes were significantly (P<.05) higher in turkeys fed the CSP+F than CS diets. In Experiment 2, males and females were fed CS, CSP+F, and CSP-F diets from day-old to 16 weeks of age (WOA). At 16 WOA, growth rate between male turkeys fed CS and CSP-F diets were not significantly different (P>.05); however, the feeding of diets containing supplemental fat (CSP+F) significantly improved growth (P<.05). No significant differences (P>.05) were observed in growth rate among the females fed the three dietary treatments. Feed:gain ratios (combined sexes) were significantly improved (P<.05) for turkeys fed either CS or CSP+F when compared with the CSP-F diets at 16 WOA. No differences (P>.05) were observed for cooked meat quality (females) among the three dietary treatments. Under the conditions of these experiments, the feeding of ground raw yellow peas to market turkeys was not detrimental to growth rate, feed utilization, or meat quality.
