Potential of Microwaves to Control Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Soil

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 1.4 g/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 of 45 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.