Development and evaluation of modular microwave applicator for agricultural soils and substratum disinfection in automatic sowing line of plant nurseries.

摘要

This research has developed and evaluated a modular prototype of microwave oven designed to study the effects of the thermal treatment over the germination of weed seeds and pathogen microorganisms present in the soil. The treatment was carried out in trays with soils or substratum that subsequently will be employed for ornamental plant cultivation. In the prototype, the trays circulate through the oven by a railway with controlled speed. The modular oven offers an interesting practical application for soils and substratum disinfection placed in sowing trays for either horticultural nurseries or ornamental plants nurseries where the soil can be disinfected in the module introduced in the automatic sowing line. The inhibition of germination and pathogen elimination have been achieved with short exposure times, being the use of microwave radiation workable for this application..