8312 1 archive 4832 disk0/00/00/83/12 2006-04-28 2009-08-20 14:32:13 2009-08-20 14:32:13 conference_item show 0 en uk uk-cor-2002 uk-other 26-28 March 2002 UK Organic Research 2002 Conference Aberystwyth never 0 TRUE paper Donnelly Eric Robertson Jamie Robinson David pub 9weed 4plant Colloquium of Organic Researchers; COR; Bracken; fertiliser; weed control; mulch; insect repellent; anti-fungal agent; biofuel; traditional use This report was presented at the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference. Bracken is considered a serious weed species, due to its toxic constituents and negative impacts on agriculture and conservation. Historically however, this fern was a highly prized commodity due to the many uses for cut fronds. Cutting bracken is one of the few bracken management options open to organic farmers. Many traditional uses for the material resulting from harvesting material may have potential in modern organic agriculture, putting a modern value on the plant for its sustainable use or its eradication. This poster reviews some traditional and potential uses within agriculture, investigated as part of a MPhil research project. These uses for bracken include; use as a source of fertility from raw material and ash, weed control for vegetable crops, animal bedding, cover mulch, insect repellent, seed treatment, anti-fungal agent, and biofuel. 2002 published Proceedings of the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference Organic Centre Wales, Institute of Rural Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth Powell Jane et al. Callaghan, T V, Scott, R and Whittaker, H A (1981) The yield development and chemical composition of some fast growing indigenous and naturalised British plant species in relation to management as energy crops. Natural Environment Research Council Contract Report to the Department of the Environment. Christian, D G (1999) Establishing fuel specifications of non-wood biomass crops. ETSU B/U1/00612/REP. Gliessman, S R (1976) Allelopathy in a broad spectrum of environments as illustrated by bracken. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 73: 95-104. Lightfoot, J (1777) Flora Scotia, 2: London. Swain, T (1974) Biochemical evolution in plants. In, M. Florkin and E. H. Stotz (Eds), Comprehensive biochemistry, 29 part A, Comparative biochemistry, molecular evolution. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Russel, E J (1908) On the use of bracken as litter. Journal of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 16: 481-7. Pitman, R. and Webber, J. (1998) Bracken as a peat alternative. Forest Authority. Voirin, B (1970) Recherches chimiques, taxonomiques et physiologiques sur les flavaiodes des pteridophytes. Thes Doct. L’Universite de Lyon. public 255-256 6190 1 8312 1 application/pdf en public

Donnelly_Potential_historical_bracken.pdf

Donnelly_Potential_historical_bracken.pdf 210384 http://orgprints.org/8312/1/Donnelly_Potential_historical_bracken.pdf