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Abstract
Microwave radiation of 2450 MHz
frequency was used to irradiate sandy loam soil placed in 12 cm high and 10 cm dia columns as a
function of exposure times of 30, 45, 60, and 120 s. This was done to
evaluate the effect of radiation on the highest soil temperature attained and
subsequent temperature patterns in relation to time. Soil columns were packed
to a field bulk density of approximately 1.4g/cm³, and treatments consisted
of moist soil, dry soil, and layers of moist and dry soil of varying
thicknesses. Moisture contents of moist and dry soil were 10% and 2%,
respectively, on a dry mass basis. An exposure time of45 seconds was the most
efficient in yielding soil temperatures high enough to kill plant-parasitic
nematodes. Irradiation of soil infested with Rotylenchulus reniform nematodes
for 45 seconds resulted in a 99% extermination of the organisms in all
treatments. However, radiation proved to be most effective in nematode
control with 6.0 cm
dry soil placed over 6.0 cm
moist soil.
Keywords: Nematodes,
non-chemical soil treatment, microwaves use on soil, Totylenechulus
renuiforms
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