Preemergence weed control using corn gluten meal

Abstract

Corn gluten meal is used as a natural preemergence herbicide.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for selectively inhibiting growth of undesirable annual and certain perennial grassy plants in an area containing an established plot of desirable grassy plants, said method comprising: applying prior to emergence of undesirable grassy plants to said area at a concentration of application which .Iadd.selectively .Iaddend.inhibits growth of undesirable plants, corn gluten meal.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the corn gluten meal is applied at concentrations of from about 5 lbs./1000 sq. ft. to about 40 lbs/1000 sq ft. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2 wherein the corn gluten meal is applied at a concentration of about 20 lbs/1000 sq. ft. 
     
     
       4. The method of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the desirable grassy plants are bluegrass turf. .Iadd. 
     
     
       5.  A method for selectively inhibiting growth of undesirable plants in a plot of desirable plants, said method comprising: applying corn gluten meal to said plot, prior to emergence of said undesirable plants, at a concentration of application which selectively inhibits growth of said undesirable plants by stopping root formation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       6.  The method of claim 5 wherein the undesirable plants are annual grassy weeds. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The method of claim 5 wherein the undesirable plants comprise crabgrass, creeping bentgrass, smart weed, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, smooth bromegrass, barnyard grass, Bermuda grass or tall fescue. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The method of claim 5 wherein the amount of corn gluten meal applied to the plot is from about 5-40 lbs. per 1000 square feet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The method of claim 5 wherein the desirable plants are bluegrass turf. .Iaddend.