California strawberry farmers trial steam to replace chemical fumigants

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 16:24 · Archive

California strawberry farmers are using steam to treat soil instead of chemical fumigants to kill soil-borne diseases.

California strawberry farmers are using steam to treat soil as an alternative to chemical fumigants that kill soil-borne diseases and weeds. Strawberry farmer Rod Koda said his steam-treated organic plots produced nearly twice the yield of other fields this year, describing the difference as 'very noticeable'. The steam treatment was applied to fields before planting as part of a project to find safer alternatives to chemical fumigants.

Steam has been used in greenhouses for decades, and California researchers have been working to adapt the technology to open fields where strawberries, one of the state's key crops, are grown near the Pacific Coast. Rick Tomlinson, president of the California Strawberry Commission, said researchers have been developing the approach for more than a decade and are working to make the technology faster to apply. The push is part of a broader effort to help organic farmers become more productive while reducing chemical use that environmental advocates say poses health risks to farmworkers and those living near the fields.

The industry is also exploring other alternatives to chemical fumigants, including cutting off oxygen to kill soil disease and developing more disease-resistant plants.

How it is being reported

• Strawberry farmer hopes steam holds the key to healthy soil and a better cropCalifornia strawberry farmers have applied steam to fields as an alternative to chemical fumigants used to kill soil-borne diseases.Clickorlando · 8 Oct, 16:00
• Strawberry farmer hopes steam holds the key to healthy soil and a better cropCalifornia strawberry farmers have applied steam to fields as an alternative to chemical fumigants used to kill soil-borne diseases.News4Jax · 8 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Rod Koda · Rick Tomlinson · California Strawberry Commission · California · Watsonville

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem