Archive for September, 2011

Steaming reaps convincing results in Babyleaf cultures: No weeds – more yields

Freitag, September 30th, 2011

Within 14 days present on 3 field days: Steaming is everywhere. On the 31.08.2011 the latest results on steaming research made by the DLR RLP were the only topics in a field day in Switzerland. Mr. Ziegler, department manager horticulture, introduced steaming as most efficient means for weed control to more than 50 guests. At the same day new steaming methods were presented on the field day of the chamber of agriculture in Cologne / Auweiler.

Two weeks later, on the 15.09., the Service Center for Rural Areas (DLR) Rheinlandpfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate) presented its latest results of steaming tests with babyleaf and arugula on the Quckbrunner Hof during its field day. Two steaming methods were compared with other means of weed control such as classic herbicides, etc. Both steaming methods showed the same effects.

Baby-Leaf Culture treated with herbicides. Worst growth, weeds still present (in particular ragwort!)

Baby-Leaf Culture treated with herbicides. Worst growth, weeds still present (in particular ragwort!)

Baby-Leaf on control area, not treated: Lots of weeds and good plant growth.

Baby-Leaf culture on steamed soil: Best quality and highest yields – 100% weed free
Baby-Leaf culture on steamed soil: Best quality and highest yields – 100% weed free

The use of herbicides (Kerb Flo and Cadou) in general always came with significant growth disturbance. Cadou suppresses ragwort well, but strongly harms babyleaf as shown in the first picture. The exclusive treatment with Kerb Flo shows much less damages, but the weed control effect is insufficient. Herbicide treatments all required manual removal of weeds.

Areas treated with hot steam showed different results: the steamed beets were all totally weed free. Furthermore plant growth was increased. The DLR pointed out that the effect of hot steam depends on steaming time. If steaming time is too short (below 5 minutes), weed seeds might survive.

“Dämpfmobil” is awarded the German Innovation Price 2011

Freitag, September 9th, 2011

On the 2nd September 2011 at the forth award ceremony of the German Innovation Price Horticulture, the best innovations were awarded.
MSD GmbH belonged to the group of winners of this year. The award was presented with the following text:

The „Dämpfmobil“ developed by Firma MSD Corp. in Durbach serves the purpose of physical plant protection.

German Innovation Price 2011
German Innovation Price 2011
Dämpfmobil is awarded the German Innovation Price 2011
Dämpfmobil is awarded the German Innovation Price 2011

It is a new development of a mobile, fully automated steaming device for the superficial, deep penetrating treatment of large, groomed open land areas After manual set up on the field, the steaming robot operates fully automatic.

In comparison to previous systems for area steaming, the steaming robot facilitates the use of steaming and reduces operation cost per hectare, as work time and energy can be saved. This device takes thermo physical plant protection one big step further and makes it more practical.

Award ceremony on the 02.09.2011 in Koblenz (from left to right: Christian and Michael Seifert, the parlamentary state secretary of the federal ministry of agriculture, Peter Bleser, Sonja Seifert, Dieter Seifert, German flower princess Lisa Maurer and the president of ZVG –Heinz Herker. (Photo: ZVG)
Award ceremony on the 02.09.2011 in Koblenz (from left to right: Christian and Michael Seifert, the parlamentary state secretary of the federal ministry of agriculture, Peter Bleser, Sonja Seifert, Dieter Seifert, German flower princess Lisa Maurer and the president of ZVG –Heinz Herker. (Photo: ZVG)

Due to the linkage of modern technology for automation as well as the high efficiency of the used heating system it was possible to create a modern machine based on the proved process of soil steaming. For the future it is expected of such processes to grow in importance. For ecological horticulture steaming is often the only alternative.