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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413853
Research Project: Disease Management in Small Fruit and Nursery Crops Based on Knowledge of Pathogen Diversity, Biology, and Environmental Effects

Location: Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit

Title: WATTS UP! Exploring soil-applied pulse electric field as an alternative to Methyl Bromide

Author
item MORETTI, MARCELO - Oregon State University
item BENEDETTI, TATIANA - Oregon State University
item MEDEIROS, PAMELA - Oregon State University
item CRISP, JASON - Lisi Global, Inc
item MCCOMB, JEFFREY - Lisi Global, Inc
item Weiland, Gerald - Jerry
item Zasada, Inga

Submitted to: Crops and Soils
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2024
Publication Date: 6/30/2024
Citation: Moretti, M.L., Benedetti, T., Medeiros, P., Crisp, J., McComb, J., Weiland, J.E., Zasada, I.A. 2024. WATTS UP! Exploring soil-applied pulse electric field as an alternative to Methyl Bromide. Crops and Soils. 57:16-19. https://doi.org/10.1002/crso.20373.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/crso.20373

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Methyl bromide is a broad-spectrum pesticide that is used to kill weeds, plant-parasitic nematodes, and plant pathogens in agricultural soils. It is also an ozone-depleting substance, so many uses for the pesticide have been phased out. An alternative control method is needed. Pulse electric field (PEF) employs bursts of high-voltage electricity to inactivate microorganisms and weeds. We previously showed that this technology was effective at controlling nematodes and pathogens. PEF technology has improved since our initial tests back and the system has recently been adapted for field use. New experiments show that this technology continues to be effective against nematodes, plant pathogens, and weed species that negatively impact agriculture.