Is this aminopyralid or fresh manure burn?

[Randommoose]

Hi,
I have tested growing some runner beans on some manure I got. This is the result. The pot on the left is just shop bought compost, the pot on the right half and half the same compost and manure.


As you can see the right hand plants are stunted and the leaves haven't opened. The leaves are slightly browned on some edges. They were sown last week and have been kept indoors.

Here is a closeup.


Is this aminopyralid damage or burning from the manure? I only got 3 bags but have already spread it and dug in (I know I know *sigh*) where onions are to go.

Anyone know a supplier of safe manure or soil improver in Gloucester?

Thanks,
Moose

[Bigmallly]

Apart from them being very leggy, I can't see much wrong with them. Broad Beans are normally used as they are susceptible to aminopyralid contamination

[Nicos]

How fresh was the manure you used???
I think it's burn.

Our neighbours on our previous lottie had their potatoes very badly affected, and the leaves curled up tight and twisted like Fern fronds uncurling ...but didn't go brown like in your piccies.

[Randommoose]

The manure was part way rotted (but still all smelly) when I got 3 bags in about Nov/December. It has been in a Dalek since. The smell had gone but grassy fibres still visible. Black but not crumbly.

That's why I'm not sure. I've never used manure before so thought this was rotted as it was black and no smell. But it still looks like grass in texture so maybe it is still too fresh.

[Nicos]

Here...have a look at this .....there's a picture of runner beans affected....

Aminopyralid-contaminated manure: A June 2011 incident in Mid-Wales

Don't look the same do they?

[Kristen]

Aminopyralid damaged bean foliage would be distorted, rather than stunted, so "good news" (I suppose?!) is that I don't think it is that.

Did you put the pots where they are just for the photo? They don't look like they have enough light there (and they look leggy as though they didn't have enough light where they have been).

Mind you ... excess Nitrogen, from manure, would probably turbocharge them like that too!

Peas and Beans can fix their own Nitrogen (i.e. from air, with the help of symbiotic bacteria) so they don't need additional Nitrogen / Manure, although the manure helps with moisture retention in the soil which is important to beans, and whatever is used for potting compost needs to be mixed up with something or other, of course. Sorry, I'm trying to cover too many bases in one answer here!

[Randommoose]

Hi,
Yes, they are very leggy. I don't have any south facing windowsills and the conservatory is still too cold so they haven't had enough sun. I am only growing them for the manure test though, I won't be keeping them.

That's a relief that it doesn't appear to be aminopyralid. That stables is the only local place I have found so far that I can get manure from. I think I'll see if I can get lots of bags this spring and rot them in a pile to spread in autumn. I was hoping to get some to use this summer but it looks like it might affect the plants badly. It was going to be for brussels, sweetcorn, squashes, french beans - can any of those manage with part rotted manure? It doesn't look like beans can.

I have guaranteed aminopyralid free manure for potatoes (from a friend) and will try getting some compost/leaf mould from a family member who has a big pile.

Thanks for your help.
Moose

[Kristen]

Hi,
I am only growing them for the manure test though, I won't be keeping them.

Sorry, missed that in your original post. Makes sense now ... unlike most of my reply!!

[Randommoose]

An update, the beans have now grown their second set of leaves which are all fine and identical whether in manure or not. The first set of leaves were burnt by the manure but otherwise the plants are fine.
Thanks for your help!
Moose

[WendyC]

That's a relief for you.

[polc1410]

Hot boxing grows on 6" of compost / soil on top of pure fresh manure. I've even grown on about 3".

Why are you using manure?