Work conditions for microwave applicators designed to eliminate undesired vegetation in a field

The use of electromagnetic radiation at a microwave frequency for soil preparation can be an alternative to chemical treatments. This research evaluates the work conditions of the proposed machinery in diverse inventions that have been patented in recent years, and discusses its possible use for elimination of undesired plants emerged in the field. The aim of this work is to determine the energy needed to eliminate two herbaceous species: perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), a monocotyledon seed, and oilseed rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera), a dicotyledon seed. The plants had been sowed in trays and had emerged up to 7 cm in height. The trays were irradiated once using a circulating array of microwave radiators for a defined time. The speed of work and the power of microwave applicators were determined for use in the field. The results show that the elimination of herbaceous species already germinated in the field is technically possible, but it requires quite a slow speed of 0.2 m s−1 and tractors with a minimum power of 48 kW. The minimum time necessary for elimination of one hectare of undesired vegetation will be 9.26 h. How these conditions can be improved is discussed in this paper.