Controlling Weeds And Diseases In Organically-Grown Potatoes With Corn Gluten

R. D. Peters*, J. A. Ivany, W. J. Arsenault and D. Aiken

Field trials maintained using organic protocols have been established at the Harrington Research Farm (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, PEI) to determine the efficacy of wheat and corn glutens added as soil amendments for weed and disease control in potatoes. Corn and wheat gluten amendments were applied in-furrow with the seed pieces (6" band; 100 g/m2) and also to the soil surface after the seed pieces were covered (12" band; 100 g/m2) using a granular spreader. Plots with glutens added singly, or in combination, were compared to control plots that received no soil amendments and were managed with or without a flamer treatment for weed control. Corn gluten significantly (P=0.05) reduced the number and dry mass of several broad-leaved weed species compared to a control receiving no treatment, and for some weed species, was similar to the flamer treatment in effectiveness. The severity of stem canker and black scurf, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, was significantly (P=0.05) reduced in plant stems and tubers, respectively, from plots receiving corn gluten compared to controls receiving no amendments. By contrast, wheat gluten was less effective as a treatment for weed or disease control. Based on these initial findings, further investigations of the potential use of corn gluten as a soil amendment in potato agriculture is warranted.


Source
2nd OACC Organic Research Workshop, Presented in association with the Organic Connections: Prairie Wide Organic Conference and Trade Show, November 14-16th, 2004


Author Locations and Affiliations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Charlottetown, PEI
*Correspondence: petersr@agr.gc.ca


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