Corn Gluten for Nitrogen - Ask Extension
Good morning, How far in advance should I use corn gluten to fertilize before seeding my lawn for the fall? As I am reading I hear warnings that it co...
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Corn Gluten for Nitrogen #877741
Asked July 18, 2024, 8:40 AM EDT
Good morning, How far in advance should I use corn gluten to fertilize before seeding my lawn for the fall? As I am reading I hear warnings that it could prevent seed germination but so far no suggested time frame has been provided.
Thank you in advance
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello
If you are using CGM as a nitrogen source only, then keeping your grass seed moist will circumvent how CGM works against seedlings.
CGM prevents germinated seedlings from growing by desiccation. So, if your seedlings are not allowed to dry out until they are well established, the CGM will not harm them.
Or, you can first establish your grass, then use CGM after they are established- after the first mowing.
I could find no studies on how long the desiccation effects last.
Here are some details on how it works-
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/corn-gluten.pdf
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2005/mar/mar0522.htm
If you are using CGM as a nitrogen source only, then keeping your grass seed moist will circumvent how CGM works against seedlings.
CGM prevents germinated seedlings from growing by desiccation. So, if your seedlings are not allowed to dry out until they are well established, the CGM will not harm them.
Or, you can first establish your grass, then use CGM after they are established- after the first mowing.
I could find no studies on how long the desiccation effects last.
Here are some details on how it works-
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/corn-gluten.pdf
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2005/mar/mar0522.htm
