A HALF CENTURY OF RESEARCH ON RF AND MICROWAVE HEATING FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS

摘要

Basic principles of radio-frequency and microwave dielectric heating are presented, and research reports and reviews published over the past 50 or 60 years are identified for various dielectric heating applications that have been explored for potential use in the field of agriculture. Included are applications for grain and forage drying, treatment to improve nutritional value of products, seed treatment to improve germination, treatments to control stored-product insects, soil treatment for weed control, and seed treatment for control of plant pathogens and human pathogenic bacteria. Economic reasons for lack of practical use and requirements for development of potential practical applications are discussed.