The results of phase 1 (“Solarization treatment and application of ozone gas before cultivation”) and phase 2 (“Application of dissolved ozone in irrigation water during the cultivation cycle”) were evaluated separately. The application of ozone in water throughout the crop showed no decontaminating effects on pesticide residues in the soil, and no significant influence on the other effects studied.
Influence on pesticide residues in soil
The combination of the techniques applied by the AGREMSOIL equipment proved its usefulness in decontaminating in situ the residual levels of pesticides in agricultural soils produced after phytosanitary treatments. The results obtained on commercial farms after 40 days of exposure to the solarization and ozonation treatment showed average degradation percentages between 57% and 63%, while the elimination of these pesticide residues on the plot without remediation treatment showed an average degradation of around 15%.
Influence on the nematode population in soil
The nematode population was controlled by bioassays to estimate the viability of juveniles and egg masses (capable of infesting plant roots).
In the case of nematode population control, the treatment achieved a 100% elimination of juveniles and the non-viability of eggs.
Influence on soil microbiota
The influence of AGREMSOIL technology in soil was estimated by measuring the main physical and chemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen and organic carbon content, etc.), as well as biochemical (dehydrogenase activity, urease, alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase) and microbiological (microbial biomass and diversity) indicators of soil health and fertility. The results obtained indicated that the combination of solarization plus ozone did not exacerbate the effects of solarization in soil chemistry and microbial communities.
Demonstration on
2 commercial farms
dedicated to tomato cultivation under greenhouse and under net house conditions
2000 m2
of decontaminated soil
Waste from
34 active substances
detected in soil have been degraded
9 mg/kg
of pesticides found in soil
57-63%
of pesticide residues in soil eliminated