Fertilizer Preemergent Natural
An important breakthrough in organic lawn care is the
fertilizer preemergent  natural, a type of natural
fertilizer made from byproducts of organic
materials. However, what makes this fertilizer quite
unique isn't its very effective nutrient base, but its natural
ability to suppressant weeds.
It’s a preemergent,
which means that it inhibits seed germination by drying out a
seed as soon as it cracks open to a sprout. This is one
of the reasons the fertilizer preemergent natural has
since become known as a “weed n’ feed”
fertilizer.
Most fertilizer preemergent
natural products available are made from corn gluten meal.
Corn gluten meal is used as an animal feed,
usually for cattle, poultry, other livestock, fish and some
dog foods. It's actually a byproduct of the corn (Zea mays L.)
wet-milling process to make cornstarch.
In 1985,
Dr. Nick Christians, of Iowa State University
(ISU), accidentally discovered that corn gluten had
preemergence herbicide activity. His study on turf fungal
activity showed that thin seeded grass stands when pure corn
gluten was used.
Christians and four of his students
later found that corn gluten meal contains naturally occurring
substances — later identified as an organic dipeptide — that cause the breakdown
of cell walls in the seed’s tiny feeder roots. As these roots
emerge, they are immediately destroyed by corn gluten’s
fertilizer preemergent natural effect.
As a result of this “attack”
by the fertilizer preemergent natural, the seedlings will
struggle to get enough moisture, causing them to die before
they can even have a change to take hold.
In 1991, the fertilizer preemergent natural
was U.S. patented as a natural herbicide for plants. The
patent was reissued in 1993 with broader claims that cover the
use of corn gluten meal on field crops and home
gardens.
When used properly, this fertilizer
preemergent natural acts as a natural herbicide
but won't harm beneficial insects, soil organisms,
pond or stream life. What’s more, since it’s all
natural, it's also safe around pets and
children.
Another good twist to the corn
gluten’s fertilizer preemergent natural activity is that it
only kills the roots of sprouting seeds. This makes them
convenient natural fertilizers to have around when
transplanting or establishing a new vegetable,
flower, fruit, or shrub plot or even a
lawn.
Corn gluten can be used right up to the day
of the harvest. Just watch out for your vegetable or flower
seedlings to gain true leaves. Once that
happens, it's your go signal to begin applying this
fertilizer preemergent natural.
To date, the only
potential hazard that's been documented relating to corn
gluten is that it can pose an allergic reaction from
inhalation of dust by certain people. If you have
asthma or respiratory problems, then always use a
mask when applying this fertilizer preemergent
natural.
Here are some more facts
you should know about this fertilizer preemergent
natural:
• Corn gluten fertilizer preemergent
natural is a fine yellow power, usually palletized for easier
application.
• It comes in 5 lb bags, but a 25 lb
bag (blended with bone meal and potassium sulfate from the
organically certified Idaho mine) will be available
soon.
• It's available at local stores, by mail
order, or on the Internet under various brand
names.
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