Influence of Corn Gluten Meal on Squash Plant Survival and Yields

摘要

Corn gluten meal (CGM) is a non-selective preemergence or preplant-incorporated herbicide that inhibits root development, decreases shoot length, and reduces plant survival. The development of a mechanized application system for the banded placement of CGM between crop rows (seed row not treated) has increased its potential use in organic vegetable production, especially in direct-seeded vegetables. The objective of this research was to determine the impact of CGM applications (formulations, rates, incorporation, and banded applications) on direct-seeded squash (Cucurbita pepo) plant survival and yields. Neither CGM formulation (powdered or granulated) nor incorporation method (incorporated or non-incorporated) resulted in significant differences in plant survival or squash yields. When averaged across all other factors (formulations, incorporation method, and banding), CGM rates of 250 to 750 g.m(-2) reduced squash survival from 70% to 44%, and squash yields from 6402 to 4472 kg.ha(-1). However, the banded application (CGM placed between rows) resulted in significantly greater crop safety (75% survival) and yield (6402 kg.ha(-1)) than the broadcast (non-banded) applications (35% survival and 4119 kg.ha(-1) yield). It was demonstrated that banded applications of CGM can be useful in direct-seeded squash production and other organic direct-seeded vegetables.