Effect of Moisture on Efficiency of Microwaves to Control Plant - Parasitic Nematodes in Soil

Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate effect of microwave irradiation of sandy loam soil on thermal energy absorption and control of plant-parasitic nematodes when air dry soil layers were placed on top of less moist, moist, and wet soil layers. The soil was packed in 12 cm high and 10 cm dia columns to a bulk density of 1.4 g / cm(3). Moisture contents of air dry, less moist, moist, and wet soils were 0.75, 4.50, 6.00, and 10.30%, respectively, on dry mass basis. The top air dry soil was 4.0 cm thick and the bottom layer was 8.0 cm thick. Temperature measurements and thermal radiation absorption data were monitored in both soil layers and showed that the use of a top dry soil both increased depth of penetration of microwave radiation and it provided insulation for better absorption of thermal energy in the lower layer of soil. An exposure of 65 seconds resulted in soil temperatures high enough to cause significant decrease in nematode population in soil infested with Rotylenchulus reniformis nematodes. No such effect was observed in combination where dry soil layer was placed over dry soil at the bottom. These results are helpful in sterilizing soil used for greenhouses and nurseries.