Fertilizer and weed killer from ethanol co-product

Peoria, Ill.-Agricultural Research Service studies indicate that the dried distiller’s grain co-product of corn ethanol production presently being used as livestock feed could be used as both an organic fertilizer and weed killer, according to ARS scientists. While some changes in the ethanol grinding methods could affect the potential of this discovery, these scientists report that greenhouse and field tests by a team at the ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research have shown that the grains can improve yields for tomatoes and other crops. In 2007, treated plots of Roma tomatoes yielded 226 total pounds of fruit, versus 149 pounds from untreated plants. And in turfgrass trials, annual bluegrass and other weed seeds were prevented from germinating in stands of Kentucky bluegrass. ARS plant physiologist Steve Vaughn and colleagues entered into a one-year cooperative research and development agreement with Summit Seed Inc., a Manteno, Ill.-based company specializing in turfgrass production. America’s ethanol industry generates an estimated 10 million to 14 million mt of these grains annually from both wet and dry milling of corn, processes that yield fermentable sugars for conversion into fuel alcohol. About 75 percent of the byproducts are fed to livestock.