Israeli researchers Rafi Koren from Moshav Avigdor has developed a method to sterilize agricultural land against nematodes and other pests. Nematodes are worms found in soil which cause severe damage to vegetation. This method, currently still under development, does not use any pesticides, and thus avoids harm to the environment and drinking water.
Nematodes are tiny microscopic worms which live in soil, on the ocean floor and even in fresh water. There are about 80,000 different species of nematode. They can be dealt with using toxic pesticides but then of course this causes environmental damage. They can be treated with solar therapy by covering the affected area with plastic sheeting. The heat created destroys the nematodes in the upper layer of soil, but they are unharmed in the lower layer (to a depth of 30 centimetres) and therefore this treatment is not effective.
Rafi Koren the developer of the method and Israel Solodoch, Chairman of the Inventors’ Association
A particular type of nematode has a thin sharp pipe which penetrates the roots of the vegetation they attack. Nematodes eats root cells and live as an external parasites close to the roots.
Another type of nematode has a fine ‘trunk’ that injures the root. The nematode penetrates the root through the opening created and feeds of the plant’s cells. Where the nematode lives creates a swelling and external thickening which is known as a “gall-nut”.
Following a nematode attack, the roots’ ability to absorb food and water from the ground is damaged. Affected roots take on a darker colour and some of them even start to rot. An affected root can be seen by its damage and external protrusions.
There are certain types of nematode that are beneficial. They feed on bacteria, fungi and other pests. After sterilizing the ground using this new invention, these beneficial nematodes may be introduced into the soil leaving these ‘good’ nematode only, without the harmful ones.
Rafi Koren says that to continue the development of this invention will require an additional investment to complete the project.
The Israeli Association of Inventors and Entrepreneurs has a list of interesting inventions that are looking forward to continue this development. The development and realization of inventions can serve as a growth engine for the Israeli economy. This sector of the Israeli economy contributes to the supremacy of Israeli technology and industrial development as well as to exports.
A list of other patents may be seen on the Nufar website: www.nufar.co.il
Announcements
Job Offers
- Packing Supervisor
- Head Grower Greenhouse Canada
- Post Entry Quarantine Facility Manager
- Economic Policy Officer Agri-Tech Kentucky
- Licensing Manager North America
- Junior Sales Executive
- Fruit Breeder/Trait Discovery Scientist
- General Manager
- Regional Sales Manager – DACH Region
- Country Manager – Italy
"Tweeting Growers"
Top 5 -yesterday
- Picture time! Recap of IPM 2023
- "Ultrapure peroxide leads to lower plant mortality and increased disease control"
- Pure Flavor brings on industry veteran Joe Sbrocchi
- CAN (ON): University of Guelph research makes growing greenhouse industry more efficient
- Combatting ToBRFV with new varieties Ferreira and Novero
Top 5 -last week
- Combining vertical farming and greenhouse horticulture to decentralize lettuce production
- Fresh produce chain hit by Lakeside Produce’s bankruptcy
- Positive vibes on the first day of IPM '23
- Growy acquires assets and team of Kalera International (&ever)
- CAN: Land Betterment acquires 50% ownership in greenhouse operations
Top 5 -last month
- How farmers are cutting out supermarkets
- Combining vertical farming and greenhouse horticulture to decentralize lettuce production
- Higher light transmission and lower heat demand with double foil greenhouse
- Fresh produce chain hit by Lakeside Produce’s bankruptcy
- 30MHz declared bankrupt, curator 'optimistic about restart'
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2023-01-30 Combatting ToBRFV with new varieties Ferreira and Novero
- 2023-01-30 A transnational collaboration leads to the characterization of an emergent plant virus
- 2023-01-30 New trial using nutrition to build plant resilience against ToBRFV
- 2023-01-27 California unveils plan to sustainably manage pests and eliminate high-risk pesticides by 2050
- 2023-01-26 International IPM program drives sustainable management of Tomato Leafminer
- 2023-01-26 Plant protection of the future may come from the plants themselves
- 2023-01-25 Pestalotiopsis causes losses of up to 50% in Michoacan's strawberry production
- 2023-01-24 A natural solution for destructive stink bugs
- 2023-01-24 US: Food safety certification for specialty crops program deadline
- 2023-01-20 Strawberry bud weevil: Changing thresholds?
- 2023-01-20 Dogs sniff out destructive voles to help farmers with control
- 2023-01-19 Project funding for tomato research and plant pest detector dog teams
- 2023-01-19 Fresh produce most commonly seized undeclared item for NZ biosecurity officers
- 2023-01-17 Is ozone effective against ToBRFV?
- 2023-01-11 Greenhouse sanitation is key to disease management
- 2023-01-11 Beneficial nematodes doing their work in your crop
- 2023-01-11 US (NY): New formulation from BioWorks shows good results for botrytis protection
- 2023-01-10 Automated beneficials dispenser saves money & helps optimize control
- 2023-01-09 USDA completes environmental assessment for biological control agent of spotted-wing drosophila
- 2023-01-09 "The screen blocks 99% of pollen, and manages mold and micro-insects"
