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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #408090
Research Project: Disease Management and Improved Detection Systems for Control of Pathogens of Vegetables and Strawberries

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Title: Soil pest control in strawberry with strategic steam placement

Author
item FENNIMORE, S - University Of California
item RACHUY, J - University Of California
item Henry, Peter
item DAUGOVISH, O - University Of California Agriculture And Natural Resources (UCANR)
item IVORS, K - University Of California
item CHING'ANDA, C - University Of California

Submitted to: Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Research Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/11/2023
Publication Date: 11/14/2023
Citation: Fennimore, S.F., Rachuy, J.S., Henry, P.M., Daugovish, O., Ivors, K., Ching'Anda, C. 2023. Soil pest control in strawberry with strategic steam placement. Methyl Bromide Alternatives Organization (MBAO) Conference, November 14-16, 2023, San Diego, California.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soil disinfestation with steam is an alternative to soil fumigation, but there have been only limited attempts to scale-up steam application for field use in strawberry. The objective of this work is to determine if spot steam application in the strawberry planting hole is sufficient to protect strawberry roots from soilborne pathogens and weeds. Five studies were initiated in coastal California at Oxnard, Salinas and Watsonville during fall 2022. All sites were placed in areas known to have infestations of soilborne strawberry pathogens. Each trial used a spot steam applicator with three 25 cm long injectors per hole. The device was set up to treat four planting holes per injection. Each plot had 32 planting holes. Treatments were steam and no steam. Treatments were replicated 6 times and arranged in a randomized complete block. Steam was injected to raise the soil temperatures to 70 to 80C, which was generally accomplished within 60 to 90 seconds. Soil samples were collected before and after steam application and subjected to appropriate lab assays. Spike steam injections suppressed Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium spp. and weeds. Fruit yields were highest in steamed plots compared to the control at Oxnard, but at Spence and Watsonville trials, fruit yields were only marginally improved with soil steaming.