Is it true that potato tops can ruin compost: what to do with potato leaves and stems
Not all gardeners decide to compost potato tops - there is an opinion that this method of disposal of plant waste is unsafe.
Of course, like any other organic matter, potato stems placed in compost will decompose.
However, it is important to remember that potatoes, like other members of the nightshade family, contain toxic solanine.
This substance is produced under the influence of the sun: that is why potatoes need to be hilled up several times during their growth, i.e. covered with soil. If this is not done, sunlight will fall on the tubers, which will lead to an increase in the level of solanine.
This component is found not only in tubers, but also in other parts of the potato – sprouting stems, fruits and leaves.
This is where the idea comes from that potato tops added to compost can make it unusable.
In fact, this belief is nothing more than another myth, since during the composting process, alkaloids, which include solanine, become inactive.
But it is really better not to throw diseased plants into the compost pit - if you combine the contents of the composter with potato tops affected by late blight, you risk spreading the disease throughout the area.
