Biosolarization is a fumigation alternative that controls soil pests through passive solar heating and organic amendment-driven soil microbial activity. This project adapts a variety of fruit, vegetable, and tree nut processing waste streams for use as soil amendments in biosolarization. In addition to inactivating a broad spectrum of agricultural soil pests, biosolarization can help improve soil health and quality through the addition of organic matter and promotion of soil microbiota that enable nutrient cycling. This project seeks to maximize these secondary benefits to further promote grower adoption of biosolarization.
Co-PI's
- Jean VanderGheynst
- James Stapleton
- Amanda Hodson
- Deborah Bennett
Associated Students
- Emily Lopez
- Amy Parr
- Emily Shea
- Juliano Toniato
Start and (expected) End Dates
January 2014 to October 2021
Principal Funder
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health via the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety
Associated Post-Docs
- Ygal Achmon
- Jesus Fernandez Bayo
Additional Funder
Almond Board of California, Diamond Developers via the Sustainable Research and Training Program