|Shrefler, James -|
Submitted to: Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 15, 2010
Publication Date: August 24, 2010
Citation: Webber III, C.L., Shrefler, J.W. 2010. Impact of corn gluten meal as an organic herbicide on squash plant survival and yields [abstract]. Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society. 63:61. Technical Abstract: Organic vegetable producers rank weeds as one of their most troublesome, time consuming, and costly production problems. Corn gluten meal (CGM) is an organically approved, non-selective preemergence or preplant-incorporated, herbicide that inhibits root development, decreases shoot length, and reduces plant survival. The challenge with CGM is to control weeds while protecting direct-seeded crops. The development of a mechanized application system for the precise placement of CGM has increased its potential use and safety for organic vegetable production, especially in direct-seeded vegetables. The objective of this research was to determine the impact of banded CGM applications on direct-seeded squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) plant survival and yields. All plots were kept weed-free throughout the grow season to isolate the impact of the CGM applications on squash crop safety and yields. Neither CGM formulation (powdered or granulated), nor incorporation method (incorporated or non-incorporated), resulted in significant differences in plant survival or squash yields. However, the banded application resulted in significantly greater crop safety and yields than the broadcast (solid) applications. It was demonstrated that banded applications of CGM may be useful in direct-seeded squash production and other direct-seeded vegetables.