Kaṭukassaratā

Spreading corn gluten inhibits the formation of root hairs through which a seedling absorbs water. Without these root hairs, a seed will die before it pushes above the soil. A natural product, corn gluten is what’s left of corn after the sugars and starches have been extracted to make syrup, cornstarch, and other food products. One application of corn gluten can suppress successful germination by 80 percent. A second application 30 days later can increase suppression to 90 percent. That’s on a par with highly toxic postemergents like Roundup. A third application after another 30 days will produce nearly complete suppression.