New internationally patented mechanical technology Thermal Pest Control (TPC) is under trial by British soft-fruit grower Gaskain Ltd.
The firm, which has 300 acres of berry production, is assessing the potential of the treatment on strawberries, raspberries and blackberries at its base in Selling, Kent.
TPC can cover 100-300a a season, depending on the type of crop being grown.
The trial is being supported by Marks & Spencer, along with Total Produce through its specialist category manager for berries, The Summerfruit Company.
Dr Drew Reynolds, technical and development director at Total Produce, believes the treatment could have long-term implications for British fruit production.
Grower Charles Gaskain said: “Our decision to test TPC supports the M&S pledge to reduce pesticide levels, and also has the potential to further enhance our quality."
Sam Franklin, M&S fresh produce technologist, said: “What is also encouraging is that the treatment could lead to cleaner punneted fruit with a longer shelf life.
“We are always interested in supporting our growers who are prepared to test and invest in new concepts, because they share our long-term commitment to quality and the environment through our Plan A initiative.”
The application of TPC is also being tested on top fruit, and six grower members of producer organisation Fruition, working with Worldwide Fruit, have five machines working. The TPC work is being trialled prior to the start of harvest in September. Details of the results will be available later.
TPC applies a high-velocity stream of 100ºC heated air onto the crop and surrounding micro-environment, reducing the development of micro-organisms and insects without the use of pesticides. This creates a natural balance in which damaging infestations and diseases are less likely to occur if used on a regular basis.
The company Lazo TPC was created in 2007 to market the technology, which took Florencio Lazo, a Chilean agricultural leader from Rosario, now TPC’s global chairman, six years to develop.
It was initially successful applied on grape production, but subsequently has been found to be applicable on soft fruit, top fruit and stonefruit. There is also a potential benefit for other crops, such as field-grown tomatoes, salads and vegetable crops.
Marty Fischer, president and chief executive of Californian-based Lazo TPC Global, Inc, said: “Given the EU requirements for reduced residues, TPC offers a unique process to greatly reduce or eliminate entirely pesticide use, thereby assuring lower residue levels on produce and processed foods.”
Some 100 TPC machines have been placed with major growing organisations around the world and are in use in or on order for Chile, New Zealand, Australia, the US, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina and Mexico. This year, Lazo TPC targeted Europe.
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