CORN GLUTEN MEAL

An important breakthrough in organic lawn care has its roots in a fortunate accident by Iowa State University researcher Nick Christians. Christians discovered corn gluten meal's herbicidal activities more than a decade ago while using leftover cornmeal to grow a pathogen found on golf course turf. While the experiment was a failure for its original intent, Christians found that the protein part of the corn--corn gluten meal, a corn milling byproduct--could inhibit root growth. He also discovered that the corn gluten meal contains 10% nitrogen by weight, thus making it an ideal "weed and feed" product.

The meal is common in many food/feed products and in dietary supplements for humans and animals. The active ingredient is a protein found in corn kernels which is not harmful to humans, to other non-target organisms, or to the environment. It provides a safer alternative to toxic chemicals commonly used for weed control on lawns.

Corn gluten meal is present in corn and in foods that contain corn or processed corn by-products. This product is intended for use only on established lawns, where the substance prevents normal root development in weed seedlings. The glutens are a class of proteins found in various crops such as corn, wheat, and potatoes. The texture of bread is affected by the amount and kind of gluten in the flour used for making the bread.

USE SITES, TARGET PESTS, AND APPLICATION METHODS

Use Sites:
Residential lawns and gardens

Target plants:
Various weeds of turf and lawns, including crabgrass, creeping bentgrass, smart weed, dandelions, redroot bigweed, purslane, lambs quarter, foxtail, barnyard grass, and Bermuda grass.

Application Methods:
Granular formulation applied by lawn spreader. In turf situations, the CGM is often applied at 20 lb/1000 square feet; in garden situations, the rate may vary from 20 to 60 lb/1000 square feet. CGM broadcast uniformly over the area and lightly raked into the surface, then watered in well. The CGM then inhibits growth of the weed seedlings' root tips.

ASSESSING RISKS TO HUMAN HEALTH

No adverse effects to humans are known or expected from use of corn gluten meal in pesticide products. Corn gluten meal: 1) is eaten regularly by humans and livestock with no known adverse effects, 2) is categorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe for food use), 3) has no known toxic effects when tested in laboratory studies, and 4) does not have a legal maximum amount that can be present in food (i.e., it is exempt from needing a tolerance).

ASSESSING RISKS TO THE ENVIRONMENT

No toxic effects have been identified in mammals, birds, or fish. In fact, corn gluten meal is commonly used in feed for cattle, fish, poultry, pets, and other animals. No harmful effects are expected if users follow the application rates and use directions on the label.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division Office of Pesticide Programs Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20460

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