1998 Annual Report for FNC98-244
Optimal Amount of Corn Gluten Meal for Weed Control and Soil Amendment Qualities in Organic Production of Strawberries
Summary
Cost-efficient weed control is one of the key items in organic crop production.
Objectives: 1) To determine the optimal amount of corn gluten meal for use as a pre-emergent herbicide in organic strawberries and 2) to investigate the use of corn gluten meal as slow-release nitrogen fertilizer.
The producer established five plots of strawberries. Soil tests were taken to determine a baseline for soil amendments. Plot 1 was a control, while the four remaining plots received corn gluten meal treatments of five, 10, 20 and 30 pounds per 1,000 square feet, respectively. The producer monitored plots for growth rate of strawberries and number and variety of weeds.
Results: Early control of broadleaf weeds by corn gluten meal was very apparent; however, there was very little control of foxtail grass, and by July 1, the grass had virtually taken over the plots. Fall soil tests indicated only a slight increase in soil nitrogen compared to the amount measured in the spring.
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