California university tests hot steam as alternative to farm fumigants
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz are exploring ways to help farmers go fully organic. A new steam technology could offer an alternative to pesticides and fumigants.
Researchers are testing whether hot steam can protect crops without relying on traditional pesticides or fumigants. The machine heats the soil to about 70 Celsius and holds it at that temperature for about 20 minutes.
“So it’s just water. It’s treating the soil only by heat,” Ryan Benson, lead engineer, said.
The process heats the ground enough to target pests, weeds and pathogens without chemicals, potentially giving organic farmers another tool.
“Soil fumigation has been traditional since 1950. That’s worked very well. This is just a look over the fence to see if an alternative works,” Mark Boulda, a farm advisor, said.
Pathogens can cause plant diseases and significant crop losses. Researchers say the steam treatment could help control soil-borne pathogens and extend the growing season, allowing farmers to keep working the land later into the fall.
The technology is being tested at organic berry farms across the Pajaro Valley, with a focus on farms near schools and neighborhoods.
Kathleen Kilpatrick, a member of the Santa Cruz County Safe Ag Safe Schools group, said, “The Pajaro Valley has some of the most concentrated use of fumigants in the state. We hope these pilot projects will provide tools for pesticide reduction and expansion of organic buffers.”
Researchers say they will monitor the fields over time to assess the treatment’s long-term effectiveness.
