Use of a Pair of Pulse-Charged Grounded Metal Nets as an Electrostatic Soil Cover for Eradicating Weed Seedlings

Abstract

An electrostatic technique was developed to generate a simple physical method to eradicate weeds in crop fields. The proposed apparatus consisted of double-expanded metal nets connected to a pulse-charging type negative voltage generator and a grounded line. The two metal nets were arranged in parallel at an interval (6 mm) that caused no arc (spark) discharge between the negatively charged metal net (NC-MN) and the grounded metal net (G-MN). The paired nets were used as a soil cover to zap weed seedlings emerging from the ground. As plant seedlings are biological conductors, the seedling was subjected to an arc discharge from the upper metal net (NC-MN) when it emerged from the soil and passed through the lower net (G-MN). The discharge was strong enough to destroy the seedling with a single exposure. The arc treatment was highly effective for eradicating successively emerging mono- and dicotyledonous weed seedlings, regardless of the number of coexisting weeds or the area of the netted field. Thus, the present study provides a simple and reliable weed eradication method that could be integrated into a sustainable crop production system.

Unattended Electric Weeder (UEW): A Novel Approach to Control Floor Weeds in Orchard Nurseries

“…Previous studies [34,35] have suggested that the spark-exposure treatment effectively kills weed seedlings. Thus, we evaluated the effectiveness of an electric spark produced by the present apparatus.…”

“…The arc discharge-exposure method for weed control was originally developed by Wilson and Anderson [23]. The principles of electricity used for weed control are provided in previous studies [34,35], where weeds at the soil-emerging stage were killed by directly exposing young shoots to a high-voltage arc (spark) discharge. Arcing is an electrical phenomenon generated by the movement of a high-voltage-mediated negative charge in the air between opposite electric conductors [36].…”

“…montana var, lobata [Willd.] Ohwi) creeping along an animal-repelling electric fence [37] and for weed populations growing in crop fields [35]. These approaches suggest that a simple electric weed eradicator could be fabricated easily and inexpensively.…”

Electrostatic Techniques for Physically Managing Pathogens, Insect Pests, and Weeds in Field and Greenhouse Cropping Systems

“…In cases of unintentional human contact with electric fences, it resulted in only temporary discomfort [46]. For safe usage, the pulse-charging type of voltage generator was employed to operate screens for eliminating invasive kudzu vines climbing on a fence [47], weed seedlings emerging in crop fields [48], and adult houseflies emerging from underground pupae [49]. Recently, Matsuda et al [50] integrated a continuous-charging type of voltage generator into an unattended electric weeder and effectively controlled ground weeds in a greenhouse orchard while ensuring safety.…”