New use possible for ethanol plant wastes

UPI Science News
Published: July 8, 2008 at 8:49 AM

WASHINGTON, July 8 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say a byproduct of corn ethanol fuel production might become useful as a way of controlling weeds in potted ornamental plants.

Researchers said the potential herbicide -- dried distillers grains with solubles, or DDGS -- is a byproduct of converting corn to fuel ethanol.

DDGS is typically used as livestock feed but U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers Rick Boydston, Harold Collins and Steve Vaughn undertook a study to evaluate the use of DDGS as a weed deterrent on potted ornamentals.

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