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To test the hypothesis that the inclusion of the forage herbs chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) or plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) or both in a grass–legume pasture mix improves persistence of sown vegetation and reduces weed and invertebrate pest ingress, a study was undertaken in 31–44 intensively managed pastures in each of five regions in New Zealand (Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Canterbury). The regions were stratified according to farm type (dairy or sheep and beef), pasture type (sown with grasses, legumes and herbs or grasses and legumes) and pasture age (young: 1–2 years old; medium: 3–4 years old; and old: 5+ years since sowing, n = 171). Sown species ground cover and emergence from the soil seed bank was greater, and unsown species ground cover and emergence lower, in sheep and beef pastures sown with herbs than without herbs (78% vs 68% ground cover, respectively, averaged over all pasture ages), but there was no difference between pasture types on dairy farms. Invert...

This paper presents a comprehensive and critical review of research on different co-composting approaches to bioremediate hydrocarbon contaminated soil, organisms that have been found to degrade PAHs, and PAH breakdown products. Advantages and limitations of using certain groups of organisms and recommended areas of further research effort are identified. Studies investigating the use of composting techniques to treat contaminated soil are broad ranging and differ in many respects, which makes comparison of the different approaches very difficult. Many studies have investigated the use of specific bio-additives in the form of bacteria or fungi with the aim of accelerating contaminant removal; however, few have employed microbial consortia containing organisms from both kingdoms despite knowledge suggesting synergistic relationships exist between them in contaminant removal. Recommendations suggest that further studies should attempt to systemize the investigations of composting approaches to bio-remediate...