Technishe/ecomomische haalbaarheidsstudie om restaarde te behandelen ter afdoding van quarantiane organismen, bij voorkeur met restwarmte van de aardappel- en/of groentenverwerker, zodat deze kan hergebruikt worden als landbouwgrond. (RESTAARDECIRCULAIR)

This project looked for a feasible way to use heat to sanitize nematode-contaminated residual soil from potato cultivation. This soil can then be reused in agriculture without risk of introduction of nematodes. Residual soil comes along with harvested potato tubers but is removed at the processor or packer and partly goes back to a field. Certainly for imported potato tubers, this is a problem due to European legislation on the movement of soil. Theoretically, such 'imported' residual soil can be stored, reused outside agriculture or inundated. None of these solutions are easy to realize in a practical way in the Flemish context due to space and environmental constraints.

In a previous study by ILVO, it appeared to be possible to kill quarantine root-knot nematodes in (residual) soil by heating. This study was confirmed and extended with potato cysts. The lab tests showed that cysts were killed in water from 70°C, but that dry cysts can withstand high temperatures (110°C). Partner UGent investigated the possibilities for heating various types of soil and moisture levels through different technologies, taking into account economic costs and benefits. From this, microwave heating and fluidized bed heating were put forward for further study. The research of partner Bodemkundige Dienst van België indicated that heating has no effect on the agricultural value of soil.

The aim of this "restaardecirculair" feasibility study has achieved its goal of getting close to a blue print for a pilot installation by means of a feasibility study. Such an installation can be used by potato processors for further research. It is already clear that the necessary follow-up study - Restaarde II - will be carried out. A concrete pilot line, a prototype for demonstration and validation, will be developed. Both potato and vegetable processing companies are potential customers for this technology.