Page 23 - Green knowledge 2024

Photo: Marit Skuterud Vennatrø
Soil steaming against potato pests
Researchers at NIBIO have discovered that heat treatment with steam effectively
eliminates yellow potato cyst nematode from infested soil.
All soil that is moved as part of various projects must
be free from plant pests. One such pest found in
Norway is the yellow potato cyst nematode (PCN).
This pest attacks potato plant roots, has a high
potential for spreading, and is difficult to combat.
Researchers at NIBIO have investigated whether soil
steaming can eradicate the nematode.
“There is commercially available technology for soil
disinfection, and we have used a pilot machine that
sterilises soil using hot steam,” explains research sci-
entist Marit Skuterud Vennatrø.
“In both our trials and experiments under more con-
trolled conditions, we have observed that yellow PCN
dies when exposed to high-temperature steam over
time.”
The method works well, but the commercially availa-
ble technology is a stationary machine, meaning it
cannot be used directly on infested fields. Instead, it
is designed to treat relocated soil from infrastructure
and road projects that has been found to contain
unwanted plant pests, making the soil reusable.
NIBIO researcher Dr Erik Joner examined soil
health after steaming. Although the process kills
beneficial organisms, he explains that the soil can be
revitalised by mixing in other soil or compost. Steam
treatment does not cause any obvious chemical
effects, but it may alter soil structure, leading to
some compaction.
Purpose: Collaboration: Funding: Contact: To investigate if high temperature steaming affects the survival and infection potential of PCN.
SoilSteam International AS, Toten Løkpakkeri, Larvik Løk, Lindum, Norwegian University of Life
Sciences (NMBU), Statens vegvesen and Norwegian Agricultural Advisory Service
This work was carried out as part of the RessursRetur project, an IPN project led by SoilSteam
Research Scientist Marit Skuterud Vennatrø, Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health.
Email: marit.vennatro@nibio.no | Phone: +47 918 16 986
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