Articles
Flame treatment in agriculture: instantaneous heating as a technology for weeding and disinfection in sustainable farming
Article number
1427_8
Pages
57 – 64
Language
English
Abstract
Open flame technology in agriculture can reduce pesticide use, improve food safety by implementing sustainable management practices.
This paper describes a range of innovative farm machinery developed specifically to extend the application of LPG flaming technology in horticulture, in the orchard, and in poultry.
The initial research activity was conducted for use in weed management.
The subsequent research aimed to integrate the flame treatment in other cultural practices and has led to the development of many applications, such as preparation of seedbeds for horticultural crops, control of weeds via broadcast surface treatments or band applications for row crops.
The list of applications includes horticultural crops (fresh-cut leafy greens, asparagus, garlic, etc.), fruit tree species and many other species (maize, potato, alfalfa, etc.). LPG flaming was tested in the vineyard to eliminate suckers, replacing hand removal and in the hazelnut orchard to effectively eliminate basal shoots.
Instant heat was tested to reduce the inoculum pressure of plant pathogens (fungi and bacteria) and insect pests, overwintering on crop residues (orchard, kiwifruit, greenhouse). Instantaneous heat has also been tested in poultry farms to disinfect the stable floor and the bedding material at the end of the production cycle.
The machinery developed for the application of the thermal treatment is characterized by simplicity of construction, low upfront investment, requires low maintenance and low cost of use.
Flaming can be easily integrated into ordinary cultural practices.
The results achieved with the instant heat technology, applied in many crops with different machines, have been generally successful.
These treatments can reduce the use of synthetic chemicals, promoting environmental protection, improvement of working conditions and workers’ health due to lower exposure to harmful chemicals.
Further dissemination and transfer of results is necessary to overcome a widespread skepticism toward these innovative technologies, based on non-chemical low-impact methods.
This paper describes a range of innovative farm machinery developed specifically to extend the application of LPG flaming technology in horticulture, in the orchard, and in poultry.
The initial research activity was conducted for use in weed management.
The subsequent research aimed to integrate the flame treatment in other cultural practices and has led to the development of many applications, such as preparation of seedbeds for horticultural crops, control of weeds via broadcast surface treatments or band applications for row crops.
The list of applications includes horticultural crops (fresh-cut leafy greens, asparagus, garlic, etc.), fruit tree species and many other species (maize, potato, alfalfa, etc.). LPG flaming was tested in the vineyard to eliminate suckers, replacing hand removal and in the hazelnut orchard to effectively eliminate basal shoots.
Instant heat was tested to reduce the inoculum pressure of plant pathogens (fungi and bacteria) and insect pests, overwintering on crop residues (orchard, kiwifruit, greenhouse). Instantaneous heat has also been tested in poultry farms to disinfect the stable floor and the bedding material at the end of the production cycle.
The machinery developed for the application of the thermal treatment is characterized by simplicity of construction, low upfront investment, requires low maintenance and low cost of use.
Flaming can be easily integrated into ordinary cultural practices.
The results achieved with the instant heat technology, applied in many crops with different machines, have been generally successful.
These treatments can reduce the use of synthetic chemicals, promoting environmental protection, improvement of working conditions and workers’ health due to lower exposure to harmful chemicals.
Further dissemination and transfer of results is necessary to overcome a widespread skepticism toward these innovative technologies, based on non-chemical low-impact methods.
Publication
Authors
C. Cedrola, M. Mingozzi, M. Pagano, R. Tomasone
Keywords
organic crops, pyro-disinfection, farm machinery, reduction of pesticide and herbicide
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