Soil steaming to disinfect barnyardgrass-infested soil masses

Abstract Reusing soil can reduce environmental impacts associated with obtaining natural fresh during road construction and analogous activities. However, the movement reuse of soils spread numerous plant diseases pests, including propagules weeds invasive alien species. To avoid barnyardgrass in reused soil, its seeds must be killed before that is to new areas. We investigated possibility thermal control using a prototype stationary steaming device. One Polish four Norwegian seed populations were examined for sensitivity. mimic range moisture content, dried moistened 0, 12, 24, or 48 h steaming. find effective temperatures whether exposure duration important, we tested target 60 99 C at an 90 s (Experiment 1) durations 30, 90, 180 temperature 2). In third experiment, 180, 540 3). Obtaining was challenging. For 60, 70, 80, C, actual obtained 59 69, 74 76, 77 83, 94 respectively. After treatments, germination followed 28 d greenhouse. Maximum affected germination, but did not. Seed premoistening influence varied among populations. The relationships between maximum described by common dose–response function. reduced 50% when reached 62 68 90% 76 86 C. total weed control, required populations, whereas 79 sufficient one population.