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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 #429172
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: Field strength and frequency-dependent effects of pulsed electric fields on soilborne nematodes, pathogens, and weeds

Author
item BENEDETTI, TATIANA - Oregon State University
item DOS SANTOS, PAMELA - Oregon State University
item Zasada, Inga
item Weiland, Gerald
item CRISP, JASON - Lisi Global, Inc
item MORETTI, MARCELO - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/2026
Publication Date: 6/8/2026
Citation: Benedetti, T., dos Santos, P.M., Zasada, I.A., Weiland, G.E., Crisp, J., Moretti, M.L. 2026. Field strength and frequency-dependent effects of pulsed electric fields on soilborne nematodes, pathogens, and weeds. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-56820-y.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-56820-y

Interpretive Summary: Farmers struggle to control harmful soil pests like weeds, nematodes, and plant pathogens without relying on chemical pesticides. We tested a new method called pulsed electric field (PEF) technology, which uses short bursts of electricity to kill these pests by damaging their cell walls. We compared two different ways of delivering electricity and tested it against multiple pests. The results showed that PEF could kill nearly 100% of nematodes, more than 90% of plant pathogens, and reduce weed growth. This technology could give farmers an alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting their crops.

Technical Abstract: Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology is a novel, non-chemical method with potential to control soilborne agricultural pests. PEF disrupts cell membranes through short bursts of high-energy pulses, and its effectiveness depends on voltage, frequency, and applicator design. Here, we evaluated two applicators, vertical pins (VP) and parallel plates (PP), against weeds, plant-parasitic nematodes, and soilborne pathogens. The PP applicator delivered more uniform fields and consistently outperformed VP, reducing Cyperus esculentus biomass at increasing energy levels and suppressing Meloidogyne chitwoodi juveniles by up to 100%. Using the PP applicator, Pratylenchus neglectus and M. chitwoodi were reduced by more than 98% at 400 V mm'¹, with complete mortality at higher frequencies. Weed responses varied by species: C. esculentus and Digitaria sanguinalis showed strong biomass reductions at 100–200 J cm'³, while Echinochloa crus-galli required higher energies for control. Soilborne pathogens also differed in sensitivity, with Phytophthora cinnamomi eliminated at moderate voltages, P. plurivora reduced up to 94%, and Verticillium dahliae suppressed by up to 97% under high-frequency, high-voltage conditions. These results demonstrate that PEF can effectively suppress diverse soilborne pests, highlighting its potential as a scalable and sustainable management tool.