Paper Title :Determination of Possibilities of Microwave Application For Killing Weeds

Author :Ikbal Aygun, Engin Cakir, Koray Kacan

Article Citation :Ikbal Aygun ,Engin Cakir ,Koray Kacan , (2017 ) " Determination of Possibilities of Microwave Application For Killing Weeds " , International Journal of Advances in Science, Engineering and Technology(IJASEAT) , pp. 33-36, Volume-5,Issue-1, Spl. Iss-1

Abstract : Weeds are the main problems for organic and traditional cropping system. According to the researches, it was found that weeds decrease the yield by 21-61% especially in cotton and corn production. Herbicides use for controlling weeds destroys the environment and increases the cost. Recently microwave applications are considered for controlling weed plants due to the growing concerns about herbicide resistance and chemical residues in the environment. Recent studies proved that microwave can kill the weeds effectively. Unfortunately, microwave application is still quite expensive comparing traditional weed control systems. The objectives of this study were to determine the possibilities of using microwave energy to kill the weeds between the rows and find out the limit power levels for killing the weeds which becomes a great problem in corn and cotton production. This study was conducted at laboratory conditions in order to determine microwave energy levels at which four weed varieties cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense (L.)), Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum), Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon) die out according to weed density and forward speeds of the laboratory prototype. Weeds with three different development stages: weeds with four leaves, eight leaves and weeds at seeding stage were exposed to minimum 0,8 kW and maximum 5,6 kW microwave power with two different forward speeds were 0,3 – 0,1 m s -1 . According to the results; all four types of weeds were be able to be killed by microwave applications. The required microwave power to kill the weeds increased with increasing forward speed. The weeds were not affected by microwave power at forward speed of 1 m s -1 . The microwave power levels for killing the weeds at 0,075 m s -1 forward speeds were measured as 0,8 kW, 2,4 kW, 0,8 kW and 4,8 kW for cocklebur, Johnson Grass, Black Nightshade and Bermuda Grass respectively. Generally, cocklebur and Black Nightshade required much less power comparing Johnson Grass and Bermuda Grass. Bermuda Grass was the only weed which required maximum 5,6 kW microwave power level at all forward speeds at laboratory conditions. Keywords- Microwave power, weed management

Type : Research paper

Published : Volume-5,Issue-1, Spl. Iss-1

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