Response of Seven Weed Species to Corn Gluten Meal and White Mustard (Sinapis alba) Seed Meal Rates

Abstract

Corn gluten meal (CGM) and white mustard seed meal (MSM) can release biologically active allelochemicals and have been demonstrated to be useful as PRE alternative weed control products. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of CGM and MSM on the emergence and aboveground dry weight of five broadleaf and two grass weed species. Greenhouse experiments were conducted using 26 by 53 cm plastic trays filled with a mix of field soil and potting soil (4 : 1 by wt). CGM and MSM were mixed with 1.5 kg of soil mix and applied at rates equivalent to 2,240, 4,480, and 6,720 kg ha−1. Overall, MSM was more effective than CGM for controlling weeds. Averaged over application rates and compared to the nontreated control, emergence rates were 17, 27, and 34% for kochia, common lambsquarters, and barnyardgrass, respectively, in CGM-amended soil, and 14, 13, and 6% for kochia, common lambsquarters, and barnyardgrass, respectively, in MSM-amended soil. Averaged over application rates, green foxtail and common lambsquarters aboveground dry biomass were 40 and 25% of the nontreated control, respectively, in CGM-amended soil. Green foxtail and common lambsquarters shoot biomass in MSM-amended soil was 13 and 5% of the nontreated control, respectively. Significant interactions were observed for meal by rate on redroot pigweed seedling emergence and redroot pigweed, barnyardgrass (Moscow), and annual sowthistle (Moscow) aboveground dry biomass. These interactions can be attributed to the fact that herbicidal effects were less evident in response to higher application rates using MSM compared to higher CGM application rates. Overall, this greenhouse study indicates MSM is more effective than or at least equal to CGM for broadleaf and grass weed control at the same application rate.