Corn gluten meal

Corn gluten meal (CGM) is a byproduct of corn (maize) processing that has historically been used as an animal feed. It can also be used as an organic herbicide.

The word gluten here is inexact; there is no true gluten in corn, but simply corn proteins. The expression "corn gluten" is colloquial jargon that describes corn proteins that are neither gliadin nor glutenin. Only wheat, barley, and rye contain true gluten, which is formed by the interaction of gliadin and glutenin proteins.

Uses

Herbicide

In 1985, Dr. Nick Christians of Iowa State University discovered that CGM displayed pre-emergent herbicidal effects during a series of turf grass experiments. The use of corn gluten meal as an herbicide was patented in 1991, but, like many food-related substances used for gardening, is not regulated in the US.

CGM targets a range of plants include small-seeded annual and perennial herbs. It is most frequently used in lawns, but may be applied to gardens and fields as well. Large-seeded weeds seem unaffected.