Bobberino, www.gardenweb.com is a good place to network with other
gardeners on subjects of interest. Here is a page that links to
several gardenweb discussions about corn gluten:
http://search.gardenweb.com/search/?term=corn+gluten
Iowa State research site:
"Background: It was found that a byproduct of the corn (Zea mays L.)
wet-milling process, corn gluten meal, has potential as a natural
preemergence herbicide. ...patent....of corn gluten meal as a natural
herbicide was issued in 1991. The patent was reissued in 1993 with
broader claims that cover the use of corn gluten meal on field crops
and home gardens. Two additional patents were also issued in 1993 on
the technology. The first is on the use of hydrolyzed proteins from
corn and other grains that were shown to have higher levels of
herbicidal activity than the corn gluten meal. These materials are
water soluble and can be sprayed on the soils surface. The second
patent was on 5 dipeptides extracted from the hydrolyzed corn gluten
meal. These dipeptides were shown to have the same type of biological
activity observed when the corn gluten meal and the hydrolyzed meal
are applied to the soil.
The sprayable materials have been found to be less stable than the
corn gluten meal in field studies. Current research is being directed
at methods of stabilizing these soluble materials to improve their
efficacy."
http://www.gluten.iastate.edu/
Info with link to purchase:
"Corn gluten meal for lawn and garden use comes in three forms:
unprocessed - very fine, almost powdery in texture. Can be broadcast
by hand, but for best results use a hand seeder. It will look like a
layer of pollen on the soil. Must be applied directly on bare earth or
around new plantings because it can't work its way down through grass
or mulch. Unprocessed corn gluten can be purchased from feed stores as
an ingredient in dog, poultry and hog feed.
granulated - easiest to apply using a spreader. Can also be mixed with
water into a paste to use as a patch for localized weed supression.
The patch will keep weeds from sprouting while the surrounding plants
fill in.
pelletized - can be broadcast by hand. This is an excellent treatment
for lawns in spring and fall; a general application will add nutrients
to your lawn while discouraging the growth of new weeds."
http://eartheasy.com/article_corn_gluten.htm
Also some comments from University of Illinois Extension Office:
"Corn Gluten Meal for Crabgrass Control
The idea of using corn gluten meal for weed control burst on the scene
in the early 1990's after Dr. Nick Christians at Iowa State
accidentally discovered its herbicidal properties while he was testing
it for suppression of turf diseases. After several years of efficacy
studies and product development, corn gluten meal has gained national
attention as being the first effective "organic" herbicide. Corn
gluten meal is not a registered pesticide because the U.S. EPA has
granted an exemption for corn gluten meal as an herbicide.
Corn gluten meal is a product of the wet milling process. It is a
pre-emergent herbicide which inhibits root formation during
germination. It is currently labeled for control of crabgrass,
barnyardgrass, foxtails (Setaria spp.), dandelion, lambsquarters,
pigweed, purslane and smartweed. Data suggest it has at least some
activity on an even wider variety of plants. It is safe to use on
established turf. Do not use corn gluten meal in an area in which you
are trying to establish turfgrass.
Research shows 50-60 percent control can be achieved in the first year
when applied at 20 lbs. Per 1000 ft. Studies suggest that control is
improved in successive years and as use rates increase. Currently it
is sold as a dry product under various trade names, including
Dynaweed, Safe 'N Simple, Earth Friendly, W.O.W.!, Corn Gluten Meal
Herbicide and Propac. It is sold for the homeowner market in retail
stores as Concern-Weed Prevention Plus. Until recently it was only
offered in powder form. Now a granular form is available which can be
more easily applied with Vikon spreaders, rotary and drop spreaders.
Application rates vary from 12 to 20 lbs. per 1000 feet, once in early
to mid-spring and another in early to mid-August. Since the corn
gluten meal is about 10 percent nitrogen, this catches two flushes of
crabgrass and spreads out the nitrogen effect. Two applications at 12
lbs/1000 ft. Will provide nearly 2.5 lb. N/1000 ft per year. The
nitrogen is in a slow release form so there is little to no potential
for foliar burn. Bulk orders cost about $950/ton; 50 lb. Bags run
between $25 and $30. This is the same corn gluten meal sold at feed
mills for animal feed; however, it is pelletized for easier and more
uniform application.
Portions of at least two proteins in the corn gluten meal, called
peptides, are the active ingredients in corn gluten meal. Laboratory
studies show the peptides themselves to be significantly more
effective at preventing weed germination than the corn gluten meal
itself. Unfortunately the peptides do not persist in the soil when
used as a spray long enough for effective control. Current research is
aimed at isolating and packaging these peptides to produce a sprayable
product."
Source: John C. Stier, Turfgrass Extension Specialist, University of Illinois
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/greenline/99v4/gl9904.03.html
I enjoyed researching this because I had not heard of this product
before. I must try it! |
