A new internationally patented technology to help reduce the need for pesticide spraying is being launched across the EU.
The Thermal Pest Control (TPC) concept, originally trialled for use on grapes and since rolled out on apples, stonefruit, kiwifruit and soft fruit, as well as offering potential for field-grown salads and vegetables, not only reduces pesticide usage but also helps speed up the photosynthesis process.
TPC machines apply a stream of air heated to 100oC on to the crop and its surrounding area at a speed of 200km/h, with the combination of wind speed and heat damaging insects and fungus to such an extent that infestations are no longer a risk - while only having a minimal effect on beneficials.
The product is the brainchild of Chilean agricultural leader Florencio Lazo Barra, who is now global chairman of LazoTPC. Around 100 TPC machines are operating globally, in Chile, New Zealand, Australia, the US, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina and Mexico. Europe is seen as a natural extension for the business, and the EU office will be headed up by Frederik van der Monde.
Marty Fischer, president and ceo of the company, was in the UK this week promoting the concept.
He told freshinfo: “This system removes the stress of pesticide use, provides fruit without residues, removes natural predators and helps the plants become more productive.
“It also seems to activate plants’ natural defences, as they react to protect their fruit from the high-speed blast of air.”
Research and trials on crops including grapes, kiwifruit, cherries and tomatoes for processing have shown that TPC-treated products offer better post-harvest quality and storage than produce grown conventionally and, according to Fischer, the produce grown speaks for itself in terms of quality. “Our objective is to create a category of product that is neither organic nor conventional,” he said. “This is a story of quality, not pesticides.”
Fischer added: “We have an industry trained to grow with chemical-based concepts. Now we have an entirely new concept - the unknown is how fast growers, consumers and retailers will respond.”
LazoTPC is establishing a certification system for TPC-grown produce, an umbrella identity for the fruit to be “certified grown without pesticides”.
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