Revolutionizing Soil Health and Organic Farming with Propane-Powered Soil Steaming

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Revolutionizing Soil Health and Organic Farming with Propane-Powered Soil Steaming

By By Michael Newland, director of agriculture business development at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)

As agriculture adapts to modern challenges, innovative solutions are vital for growers aiming to meet both consumer and environmental demands. At the 2025 World Ag Expo, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is introducing technology that could transform how farmers combat soilborne threats.

At the Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA) booth (West Street WS20 and WS22), attendees can learn about propane’s pivotal role as a clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy source in agriculture production. In addition to viewing a variety of propane-powered equipment—like irrigation engines, a mower, and generators—attendees will get an exclusive first look at the new propane-powered soil steamer. A press conference introducing the new technology will be held at the WPGA booth on Tuesday, February 11th at 3 p.m.

The propane-powered soil steamer offers a pesticide-free, eco-friendly method to boost crop yields while reducing reliance on chemicals—a significant advancement for sustainable farming practices.

Harnessing the Power of Steam

For decades, soil steaming has been an effective tool for disinfecting soil, but scalability issues have limited its use on commercial farms. The new propane-powered soil steamer solves this challenge. Designed for efficiency, it targets the top 1-2 inches of soil, where most weed seeds and nematodes reside, using shallow steaming technology. This precision ensures optimal results while minimizing energy consumption—a significant advantage for high-value crops like strawberries, lettuce, carrots, and cabbage.

In trials, this method has proven to increase lettuce yields by up to 25% in areas impacted by soilborne pathogens like lettuce drop. These results underscore the potential for healthier, more abundant harvests.

Eco-Friendly and Economical

Cleaner, lower-emission propane plays a critical role in ensuring the efficiency and environmental benefits of this system. By replacing pesticides and herbicides, the soil steamer addresses increasing consumer and regulatory demands for chemical-free farming methods. Additionally, the reliability of propane-powered equipment provides farmers with consistent performance even in remote areas, bypassing the risks associated with electrical grid instability.

Farmers also stand to benefit financially. By reducing weeding labor costs by up to 50 percent and enabling shorter crop rotation intervals, the propane-powered soil steamer offers a high return on investment. Its banded steam application is tailored to specific crop needs, further enhancing operational efficiency.

Propane’s Role in Sustainable Agriculture

Beyond soil steaming, propane has long been a trusted energy source in agriculture, powering grain dryers, irrigation engines, building or water heating, and more. Its portability, availability, and naturally reduced emissions make it an essential tool for modern farming. With technologies like the soil steamer, propane continues to demonstrate its versatility and value as a clean energy solution.

A Promising Future with Propane

The propane-powered soil steamer represents a significant step forward in sustainable farming practices overall. As growers face mounting pressures to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact, innovations like this offer practical, impactful solutions. By integrating this technology into their operations, farmers can achieve healthier crops, greater yields, and a greener future.
For more information about the propane-powered soil steamer, visit www.Propane.com/Soil-Steamer. For more information about propane’s versatility in agriculture, visit www.Propane.com/Agriculture.