HortScience (1999) 34, 269-270
R.E. Gough and R. Carlstrom (1999)
Wheat gluten meal inhibits germination and growth of broadleaf and grassy weeds
HortScience 34 (2), 269-270
Abstract: The herbicidal activity of wheat gluten meal (WGM) was evaluated on 17 species of monocotyledons and dicotyledons. Treatments included WGM at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9 g·dm-2. Germination, shoot and root lengths, and root numbers were recorded. Treatments reduced germination and root extension in nearly all species. Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), shepherd's purse [Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik.], henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.), quackgrass [Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.], annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.], orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were particularly sensitive. Germination of curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) was suppressed at the higher rates. Germination of black medic (Medicago lupulina L.), spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa Lam.), mustard (Brassica sp.), and corn (Zea mays L.) were not substantially affected at any rate. Shoot growth of all species was inhibited at rates >2 g·dm-2, and at the highest rates no shoots developed. In nine species, shoot extension was stimulated at 1 g·dm-2 WGM. The herbicidal activity of WGM was not due to a "mulching" effect, since growth characteristics were also altered in bean seeds barely covered by the treatments.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
