Steam replaces chemicals for organic strawberries in California
University of California Santa Cruz researchers tested steam injection as a chemical-free method to sterilize soil for growing strawberries in California.
The UCSC team enrolled four organic growers who used machines to inject steam into beds before planting the delicate fruit in the ground. Longtime farmer Rod Koda participated in this trial and observed that the plants grew larger and remained much healthier overall.
Steam kills harmful bacteria and fungi that damage plants. Weeds also die from the hot vapor treatment applied to the soil beds. Previously, farmers faced difficult choices between risking bankruptcy with chemical fumigants or attempting risky hydroponic systems without soil.
Certified organic produce cannot contain toxic chemicals, forcing growers to gamble on losing harvests to diseases like fusarium wilt or using expensive alternatives. Now, steam fumigation offers a safe and effective solution that eliminates the need for harmful toxins in the soil.
Greenhouses have used steam as a pesticide for many years. Researchers now apply this classic growing technique to the soil in a novel way. Jenny Broome noted that researchers are returning to older technology while engineering it more efficiently for modern agricultural needs today.