Wheat Gluten Meal Inhibits Germination and Growth of Broadleaf and Grassy Weeds

Abstract

<jats:p>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<jats:sup>-2</jats:sup>. Germination, shoot and root lengths, and root numbers were recorded. Treatments reduced germination and root extension in nearly all species. Leafy spurge (<jats:italic>Euphorbia esula</jats:italic> L.), redroot pigweed (<jats:italic>Amaranthus retroflexus</jats:italic> L.), shepherd's purse [<jats:italic>Capsella bursa-pastoris</jats:italic> (L.) Medik.], henbit (<jats:italic>Lamium amplexicaule</jats:italic> L.), quackgrass [<jats:italic>Agropyron repens</jats:italic> (L.) Beauv.], annual bluegrass (<jats:italic>Poa annua</jats:italic> L.), Canada thistle [<jats:italic>Cirsium arvense</jats:italic> (L.) Scop.], orchardgrass (<jats:italic>Dactylis glomerata</jats:italic> L.), purslane (<jats:italic>Portulaca</jats:italic> <jats:italic>oleracea</jats:italic> L.), annual ryegrass (<jats:italic>Lolium multiflorum</jats:italic> Lam.), and snap bean (<jats:italic>Phaseolus</jats:italic> <jats:italic>vulgaris</jats:italic> L.) were particularly sensitive. Germination of curly dock (<jats:italic>Rumex crispus</jats:italic> L.) and common lambsquarters (<jats:italic>Chenopodium</jats:italic> <jats:italic>album</jats:italic> L.) was suppressed at the higher rates. Germination of black medic (<jats:italic>Medicago lupulina</jats:italic> L.), spotted knapweed (<jats:italic>Centaurea maculosa</jats:italic> Lam.), mustard (<jats:italic>Brassica</jats:italic> sp.), and corn (<jats:italic>Zea mays</jats:italic> L.) were not substantially affected at any rate. Shoot growth of all species was inhibited at rates &gt;2 g·dm<jats:sup>-2</jats:sup>, and at the highest rates no shoots developed. In nine species, shoot extension was stimulated at 1 g·dm<jats:sup>-2</jats:sup> 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.</jats:p>

Biodegradable herbicide delivery systems with slow diffusion in soil and UV protection properties

“…Thus, in contrast to corn gluten, the efficiency of which as organic pre‐emergent herbicide has already been widely reported, wheat gluten displayed no significant inhibitory effect on watercress germination, even for the highest concentration (1 g dm −2 ). Similar conclusions have been reported on perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) using the same concentrations of wheat gluten and nearly the same weed pressure, and on several broad‐leaf and grassy weeds using a 50 times lower weed pressure …”

“…Similar conclusions have been reported on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) using the same concentrations of wheat gluten and nearly the same weed pressure, 36 and on several broad-leaf and grassy weeds using a 50 times lower weed pressure. 38 To conclude, the herbicidal effect found with the different WG formulations could not be attributed only to wheat gluten but also to the herbicidal compound introduced into them and the way it can be delivered in soil when applied as WG formulation. Firstly, even if not statistically proved by the herbicidal activity brought about by the wheat gluten treatment, a potential synergistic effect between wheat gluten and ethofumesate is conceivable, but hitherto has not been validated.…”

Invited Paper: Chemicals from nature for weed management

“…For example, corn gluten meal, a by-product of the wetmilling process, is being used for preemergence weed management and fertilization (Bingamen and Christians 1995;Christians 1993;Gough and Carlstrom 1999). Corn gluten hydrolysate, produced by the action of a bacterial proteinase, is more active than the gluten meal as a herbicide (Liu and Christians 1994a).…”

Residues of bioenergy production chains as soil amendments: Immediate and temporal phytotoxicity

“…A similar product to maize DDGS, corn gluten meal is a commercially successful herbicide, and has dipeptides as active ingredients [23]. However, the phytotoxicity of DDGS from wheat has not been previously investigated, although wheat gluten meal is known to be phytotoxic [24], and wheat residues are known to contain phytotoxic substances such as phenolic acids, hydroxamic acids, and short chain fatty acids [25]. DDGS has been patented and demonstrated as a promising bio-based carrier for fertilizer and pesticides [26], further underlining the importance of understanding its behavior in soil.…”