Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR)

Organic Research Database

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

 


Using dried distillers grains to suppress weeds

Personnel:Rick Boydston
Cooperators:Hal Collins, S. Vaughn
Keywords:weed control, dried distillers grains
Abstract:Dried distillers grains (DDGS) is a by-product of ethanol production.  An experiment was conducted to see whether this material might have weed suppression potential.  The material contains 4% N, so it also has significant nutrient value.  DDGS amended potting soil reduced emergence and growth of common chickweed and annual bluegrass.  A mix with 20% DDGS nearly eliminated weeds.  It also was phytotoxic to the crop.  A surface mulch reduced the phytotoxicity and also the weed suppression.
Project
description:
Outputs:Poster
Impact:
Institution:USDA-ARS
State:WA
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