Microwave Weed Zapper

Microwave Weed Zapper CROPS Weed Control Microwave energy could be the best weapon to fight weeds in years to come if an Australian engineer’s research work pans out Dr Graham Brodie an electrical engineer at the University of Melbourne developed his microwave weed zapper as a solution to Australian grain farmers’ problems with herbicide resistant weeds “Some weed species have developed multiple resistances to different chemical groups which means that control of weed infestations has become very difficult ” Brodie says He has 30 years experience with microwave energy including a project to speed up drying green timber “The microwave treatment creates tiny steam explosions through the weed plant that causes it to die ” he explains His prototype is set up on a 5 by 8-ft trailer with four 2kW microwave generators powered by portable generators “Horn antennae drape over the back of the trailer and are designed to go between the rows of the crop ” Brodie says “It’s also possible to do a blanket ‘knock down’ before sowing or crop emergence Because the microwave treatment destroys the cells in the weed it basically kills the plant ” His weed-killing machine is still in early development stages Brodie says his next step is to develop a shielding system so the operator won’t be exposed to microwave energy which can cause tissue heating and possible burning with long exposure More research is also necessary regarding how microwave energy affects the soil So far it appears to “pasteurize” the first couple inches of soil without significant effect on fertility and nutrients Soil bacteria were only affected temporarily In initial testing application was slow walking pace but a more powerful 15-kW unit would speed up the process to be comparable to chemical spray application with less than a second of exposure required to kill weeds The non-chemical method appeals to farmers and there have been inquiries from manufacturers “I am hopeful that a more commercial prototype system may be available in the next 3 to 5 years ” he says Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Dr Graham Brodie Dookie Campus University of Melbourne Nalinga Rd Dookie Victoria 3647 Australia ph 61 3 5833 9273; grahamb@unimelb edu au

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