A soil treatment system, including heat treatment apparatus configured to travel in a forward direction along a plot of ground having a soil surface and configured for disturbing the soil surface and treating associated soil with steam as the heat treatment apparatus travels to provide steam treated soil, and a source of steam in flow communication with the heat treatment apparatus for supplying steam to the heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment apparatus includes a first heat treatment section having a plurality of rotating blades configured to contact the soil surface and lift and circulate the soil and return the soil to the ground, and a plurality of first steam outlets proximate the rotating blades configured to expose the soil lifted and circulated by the rotating blades to steam from the first steam outlets. The heat treatment apparatus also includes a second heat treatment section having a conveyor configured to receive soil and to return the soil to the ground, a plurality of second steam outlets proximate the conveyor and a blade configured to contact the soil surface and lift the soil onto the conveyor for exposure of the soil on the conveyor to steam from the second steam outlets.

A soil treatment system, including heat treatment apparatus configured to travel in a forward direction along a plot of ground having a soil surface and configured for disturbing the soil surface and treating associated soil with steam as the heat treatment apparatus travels to provide steam treated soil, and a source of steam in flow communication with the heat treatment apparatus for supplying steam to the heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment apparatus includes a first heat treatment section having a plurality of rotating blades configured to contact the soil surface and lift and circulate the soil and return the soil to the ground, and a plurality of first steam outlets proximate the rotating blades configured to expose the soil lifted and circulated by the rotating blades to steam from the first steam outlets. The heat treatment apparatus also includes a second heat treatment section having a conveyor configured to receive soil and to return the soil to the ground, a plurality of second steam outlets proximate the conveyor and a blade configured to contact the soil surface and lift the soil onto the conveyor for exposure of the soil on the conveyor to steam from the second steam outlets.

A soil treatment system, including heat treatment apparatus configured to travel in a forward direction along a plot of ground having a soil surface and configured for disturbing the soil surface and treating associated soil with steam as the heat treatment apparatus travels to provide steam treated soil and a source of steam in flow communication with the heat treatment apparatus for supplying steam to the heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment apparatus includes a blade configured to contact the soil surface and lift and circulate the soil and return the soil to the ground and a plurality of steam outlets configured to introduce steam to the soil as it is lifted and circulated. The system also includes an insulative sheet material and a cooperating dispenser configured to dispense the sheet material to overlie the treated soil with the sheet material after the passage of the heat treatment apparatus.

A soil treatment system, including heat treatment apparatus configured to travel in a forward direction along a plot of ground having a soil surface and configured for disturbing the soil surface and treating associated soil with steam as the heat treatment apparatus travels to provide steam treated soil and a source of steam in flow communication with the heat treatment apparatus for supplying steam to the heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment apparatus includes a blade configured to contact the soil surface and lift and circulate the soil and return the soil to the ground and a plurality of steam outlets configured to introduce steam to the soil as it is lifted and circulated. The system also includes an insulative sheet material and a cooperating dispenser configured to dispense the sheet material to overlie the treated soil with the sheet material after the passage of the heat treatment apparatus.

A steam sprayer for delivering steam onto and beneath a field surface is provided. The steam sprayer comprises a support frame having a plurality of steam spraying nozzles mounted thereto and oriented substantially downwardly for spraying steam onto and beneath the field surface. At least a steam generator is connected to the steam spraying nozzles for providing steam thereto. A water heating tank is connected to each of the at least a steam generator for providing heated water at a substantially constant pressure thereto. Compressed air is provided to the water heating tank for pressurizing the water heating tank. Power is provided to the water heating tank and each of the at least a steam generator.

A steam sprayer for delivering steam onto and beneath a field surface is provided. The steam sprayer comprises a support frame having a plurality of steam spraying nozzles mounted thereto and oriented substantially downwardly for spraying steam onto and beneath the field surface. At least a steam generator is connected to the steam spraying nozzles for providing steam thereto. A water heating tank is connected to each of the at least a steam generator for providing heated water at a substantially constant pressure thereto. Compressed air is provided to the water heating tank for pressurizing the water heating tank. Power is provided to the water heating tank and each of the at least a steam generator.

System for the disinfection of agricultural soil includes an electric energy source, at least one radiofrequency or microwave generator connected to the electric energy source and arranged to convert the electric energy into electromagnetic power and a plow-like electromagnetic applicator connected to the radiofrequency or microwave generator via wave-guiding lines, the plow-like electromagnetic applicator being arranged to be inserted into the soil so as to transmit the electromagnetic power to the soil, thus obtaining a disinfection of the soil.

System for the disinfection of agricultural soil includes an electric energy source, at least one radiofrequency or microwave generator connected to the electric energy source and arranged to convert the electric energy into electromagnetic power and a plow-like electromagnetic applicator connected to the radiofrequency or microwave generator via wave-guiding lines, the plow-like electromagnetic applicator being arranged to be inserted into the soil so as to transmit the electromagnetic power to the soil, thus obtaining a disinfection of the soil.

The present invention provides an environmentally friendly. safe and rapid method for controlling invasive plants and/or unwanted plants directly in a soil volume. the method comprising heating the entire soil volume to a temperature of at least 40? C. A kit comprising means for performing the method is also provided.

The present invention provides an environmentally friendly. safe and rapid method for controlling invasive plants and/or unwanted plants directly in a soil volume. the method comprising heating the entire soil volume to a temperature of at least 40? C. A kit comprising means for performing the method is also provided.