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Home Research Projects     Biofumigation          Seed meals as a biopesticides          Glucosinolate hydrolysis          Brassicaceae plow-downs          Publications          Investor Information          Links     Heavy Metal Biogeochemistry     Pesticides in Costa Rica Research Group Publications Instrumentation Assistanships	RESEARCH PROJECTS B I O F U M I G A T I O N Seed meals as a biopesticide The highest glucosinolate concentrations in plants are found in the seed or seed meal that remains after the oil is removed. We are using this seed meal as a source for biopesticides. Our goal is to develop mustard and rapeseed meal products that can be used to control soil-borne plant pests in agricultural and horticultural crops, thereby providing a value-added material that can be marketed to offset the cost of oil production. We want to ensure that meal generated by crushing facilities is utilized in a manner that protects the environment and maximizes economic viability of biodiesel/biolubricant production. Our most recent work is focused on using Sinapis alba meal as a bioherbicide. We are in the process of filing a patent application based on the work reported in this publication. Borek, V. and M.J. Morra. 2005. Ionic thiocyanate (SCN-) production from 4-hydroxybenzyl glucosinolate contained in Sinapis alba seed meal. J. Agric. Food Chem. 47:3837-3842. I We have shown mustard meal to act as a bioherbicide against redroot pigweed and wild oat. Mustard meal is being used as a soil amendment to grow organic carrots and strawberries. Seed meal produced by cold pressing mustard seed is being used a soil amendment.	Matthew J. Morra About Contact
Matthew J. Morra mmorra@uidaho.edu Phone: 208-885-6315 FAX: 208-885-7760