Do you have questions? (+49) 781 127 866-60 info@msd-ag.de
Do you know our blog?
  • Applications
    • Horticulture
    • Wine cellars / viniculture
    • Agriculture
    • Other industries
  • Steaming methods
    • Sheet Steaming
    • Depth Steaming
    • Hood Steaming
    • Sandwich Steaming
    • Substrate/Compost/Peat
    • Half / Full Automatic Machines
  • Steam boilers
    • Types
    • Technical Principals
  • Service
    • International
    • T&C
  • News
    • Messages
  • Contact
    • Inquiry
    • About Us
    • Impress
  • Horticulture
    • Weed control
  • Wine cellars / viniculture
  • Agriculture
  • Other industries
Home›Applications›Horticulture

Soil steam sterilization systems for horticulture

For over 100 years, treatment with steaming has been successfully used in horticulture. Steaming has consistently proved itself, especially as a plant-protection measure against all kinds of weeds and germs.

New steaming technologies make the use of steam more and more profitable.

Steam completely eliminates weeds, weed seeds and pathogens from the treated soil and compost, simply by using humid heat. The result is always a completely healthy and clean soil that is ideally prepared for growing your plants.

Your optimal steaming system

Each market garden has its own characteristics and peculiarities, including soil and compost types, locations, as well as the equipment and technology used by the gardener.

We therefore offer a wide range of various steaming systems for different applications.

In horticulture, besides selection of the right steaming system, optimal preparation of the soil is the most important aspect for achieving the desired outcome.

Horticulture: Sheet steaming in greenhouse Horticulture: Sheet steaming in greenhouse
Double steaming box: The treated substrate is covered with a sheet Double steaming box: The treated substrate is covered with a sheet
25m²- steaming hood with 3 point suspension arm behind tractor 25m²- steaming hood with 3 point suspension arm behind tractor
Steaming robot with three hoods in open air use Steaming robot with three hoods in open air use
Substrate steaming in 8m³ tipping trailer without sucking system Substrate steaming in 8m³ tipping trailer without sucking system

Natural soil disinfection with steam

Use of superheated steam is recognised both by practitioners and scientists as the best and most effective method for cleaning infected soils and substrates.

It is proven that superheated steam quickly and reliably liberates the soil from phytotoxic substances and germs, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes and other pests.

According to the recognised results of scientific research, treatment with steam is partial results in partial disinfection. After cooling down, important and heat-resistant micro-
organisms revitalize the soil again.

Besides the liberation of the soil from soil-borne pathogens and pests, other positive effects of steaming should be emphasized:

  • Destruction of all weed seeds: Read more!
  • Impedes soil exhaustion due to activation of chemical-biological conversion processes.
  • Applying steam to plants releases blocked nutritive substances and makes them open and available.
  • No use of chemicals and no residues.
  • As soon as the soil has cooled down, you can begin tilling.

Steaming leads to a favourable starting position for your new plantation and thence to quicker growth and better resistance.

Steamed: +30% crop yields Steamed: +30% crop yields
Steamed: Our System generates even growth from sowing to harvest  Steamed: Our System generates even growth from sowing to harvest
Unsteamed: Weed pressure harms crop plants Unsteamed: Weed pressure harms crop plants
Steamed: steam removes weeds effectively up to 100% Steamed: steam removes weeds effectively up to 100%
Unsteamed: Pressure from diseases reduces yields significantly Unsteamed: Pressure from diseases reduces yields significantly
Steamed: healthy soil is the base for solid yields Steamed: healthy soil is the base for solid yields
Unsteamed: depleted soil prevents plant growth Unsteamed: depleted soil prevents plant growth
Steamed: steam releases blocked nutriants in the soil Steamed: steam releases blocked nutriants in the soil

Steam trumps agrochemistry

The advantages of superheated steam against agrochemicals have already been scientifically proven some time ago:

  • No risk of poisoning of soil, plants and people
  • No waiting time between steaming and cultivation is necessary
  • No chemical residues in plants and ground water
  • No risk of resistance formation
  • Comprehensive effect against all pests, weeds, etc.

The cost remains low thanks to effective steaming technologies, particularly container steaming with an extraction system and sandwich-type steaming.

Comparison of cost:

More than 10 years ago, treatment with methyl bromide, which was very popular but is prohibited worldwide today, cost about 10,000 Euros per hectare (including labour and material cost). Treatment effect at about 25cm depth required 80 g methyl bromide per 1 sq. m.

At the beginning of 2016, investment in the sanitisation of wide surfaces with superheated steam at 25cm depth cost about 8.000 €* per hectare, including acquisition and energy cost. This applies especially to the state-of-the-art methods, e.g. hood or sandwich-type steaming with fully-automated machines.

* This calculation is based on the annual surface performance of 20ha and full automation.

Observe the 200°C temperature!

The high efficiency and cost-saving benefits of our steaming systems for horticulture are based particularly on the use of hot steam at 200°C.

This high temperature facilitates quick and uniform penetration of heat into the earth or substrate. The steam thus does not condense too quickly.

We therefore achieve an optimal performance at minimum energy consumption of about 1kg of fuel heating oil per cubic metre of steamed product.

Steam is better than dry heat

IMPORTANT: Due to the advantageous chemical and physical properties of water, the steam trumps all other thermal soil sanitisation methods (infrared, microwave or widely used flame devices).

Unlike dry heat methods, e.g. burning-off, after which most of weed seeds still survive and the soil itself can be heavily damaged by incineration, gentle treatment with the humid heat from the steam ensures 100% sanitisation.

The advantage of steaming is especially distinctive for weed control. Conversely, when using flame techniques, you can only reach the surface parts of weeds and heat them up for a short time. After such treatment, the weed can still sprout again rapidly.

Unlike a flame, hot steam condensed on the plant will release heat for a longer time. Moreover, steam can also penetrate into the soil and reach the roots of weeds. Hot steam thus achieves much more sustainable and comprehensive results.

Are you
interested?

Contact us now!

learn more here!
MSD AG
Stollenberg 8
77770 Durbach
Tel:(+49) 781 127 866-60 Fax:(+49) 781 127 866-69 E-Mail:info@msd-ag.de
© 2019 - 2023 ERGOWERK GmbH
  • Impress