Some Factors Which Influence the Toxicity of UHF Energy to Weed Seeds

Abstract

UHF energy (2450 MHz) was applied to seeds and seed-soil mixtures with a waveguide under controlled conditions. After treatment, seeds were germinated at 27 C to determine viability. Seeds were either killed or seedlings grew normally with no intermediate levels of inhibition typical of that produced with sub-lethal dosages of herbicides. The energy required to kill several species of dry seeds ranged from 88 to 183 J/cm2and could be reduced 12 to 42% by a 24-hr imbibition period prior to treatment. When several seed-soil mixtures were treated, the greatest toxicity occurred in a moist muck and clay loam soil, with the least toxicity on a dry loamy sand soil. Although attenuation of activity occurred in dry soils of three types, less energy was required to kill seeds in moist soils than was required in the absence of soil. Increasing the power levels reduced the time of exposure necessary to kill barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli(L.) Beauv.] seeds. Less energy was required to kill seeds as the soil temperature was increased from −20 to +18 C.