Corn gluten meal is a natural product that can safely inhibit germination of grass and weed seeds.
The control plot of a turf fungal study showed thin seeded grass stands when pure corn gluten was used. Further study by Dr. Christians and his graduate students lead to 4 patents on corn gluten and its active components over the last 15 years. Corn gluten is a by-product of wet milling process to make cornstarch. It is an animal feed for cattle, poultry, other livestock, fish and some dog foods. It also contains naturally occurring substances, which inhibit the growth of seed's tiny feeder roots by causing a break down in the cell wall.