Citation

Diprose MF, Benson FA. J. Agric. Eng. Res. 1984; 30: 197-209.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0021-8634(84)80021-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The systems used for the electrical treatment of plants are of two main types--spark discharges and continuous contact. The former method uses high-voltage, short-duration pulses (e.g. 25-60 kV, 1-3 μs) for weed control, plant thinning and the acceleration of ripening. The latter method uses an electrode connected to a high-voltage source (e.g. 15 kV, 54kW) and as it touches the plants, current flows for the duration of the contact time. It is used for pruning and desiccation of root crop foliage, as well as weed control and row crop thinning. The plant tissue is damaged by current flow and the shockwave of the discharge in pulsed systems and by the rapid heating effect of the electric currents in continuous contact devices. Commercial continuous contact equipment has been produced in the U.S.A. for farm weed control, forest undergrowth clearance and railway track weed clearance. Experimental systems have been developed in Europe for weed beet control (15 kV r.m.s., 50 kW) and these can treat infestation densities of up to 5000 stems/ha. Electrical weed control is versatile and rapid, and is cost competitive with chemical applications if used on more than 900 ha/a.

Language: en