rus
Issue #2/2015
T. Ivanova, E. Kerechanina, N. Pavlov
Laser Optical Technologies Used in Agriculture Main Aspects
Laser Optical Technologies Used in Agriculture Main Aspects
This article substantiates the concept of agriculture ecologization. The special role belongs to the methods of seed grain treatment.
Теги: plant-growing растениеводство
It is well known that the major condition for the increase of crop production efficiency is the improvement of soil fertility and enhancement of grain quality which, in turn, depend on many factors. Whereas one group of factors is beyond the control of human being, for example, climatic conditions during vegetation period, the other group of challenges is fully controllable. It includes fertilizers and crop protecting agents. In the meantime, the excessive use of phosphates, nitrates, pesticides adversely influence on the harvest and environment. Therefore, the development of new methods for the intensification of crop production efficiency is completely obvious [1].
Undoubtedly, the creation of lasers made revolution in science and engineering. During two last decades from the moment of their occurrence fundamental and applied schools of physical optics and particularly optical quantum electronics and nonlinear optics were sequentially formed. Currently, neither modern fundamental studies, nor solution of technical or technological tasks are possible without lasers. It is applicable for agriculture as well [2].
As it is known, the cost of wheat directly depends on the content of gluten and protein because availability of these elements particularly determines the baking qualitative parameters of grain.
According to the data of the Federal Center of Quality and Safety Assurance for Grain and Grain Products, in Russia the grain quality continues to degrade [3]. Thus, the share of milling wheat decreased almost by 63% in the most bumper-crop year of 2008.
In practice, the treatment of plants with fungicides, herbicides and insecticides noticeably reduces the gluten content because the chemical preparations cause additional stress and suppress the growth of plants.
Currently, various physical methods and, in particular, treatment with laser radiation have the special place in plant protection against pathogens.
It should be reminded that laser treatment represents the continuous or pulse irradiation of the seeds of agricultural crops and their sprouts with the laser beams of certain wavelength which varies within the range of 632 to 670 nm. The main purpose of technological method is to improve the crop yielding capacity, reduce the disease incidence, and develop the extensive root system of plants. It was proved on the basis of many studies that as a result of seed treatment with laser radiation their germinating capacity and germinating energy grow, and thus plants develop faster and give more crops.
Indeed, the laser photoactivation started to develop in 70s of this century. Under the industrial conditions, laser photoactivation method has been successfully used and is being used in Kazakhstan and certain regions of the Russian Federation, for example, in Rostov, Kuybyshev Regions, Krasnodar Territory. Fundamentally new method of laser photoactivation is more efficient in comparison with the existing physical and chemical methods of pre-sowing treatment of seeds.
First of all, advantages include short time of exposure and absence of negative effects within the wide range of modes of seed laser treatment. Secondly, the stable increase in the crop yielding capacity is recorded [1, 6] against the background of various soil-climate conditions. Enhancement of the quality of agricultural products is registered and, in particular, increase of the concentration of sugars, vitamins, proteins and gluten is established. Of course, at the expense of increase of field germination rate of seeds and strengthening of growth processes, the decrease of seeding rate by 10–30% is quite possible [1, 4]. Improvement of plant resistance to various diseases is noticed. Treatment harmlessness for seeds and personnel should also be noted here.
Analyzing much data concerning the use of laser technologies, it was detected that they are insufficiently adapted to the industrial conditions of grain growing. The matter is that the use of lasers for grain crops is limited only by the treatment of seeds for the purpose of stimulation of crops germinating capacity and yielding capacity. Technology using the laser device LU-2 which allows treating the seeds and vegetating plants as well is the most adapted to the industrial scale. Device is developed by the Limited Liability Company Research and Manufacturing Branch “Biolaser”. Efficiency of this laser apparatus is quite high and makes it possible to treat great volumes of grain and thus considerable planting areas [5, 6].
Thus, we can state that the laser activation of seeds results in the significant positive effect because early stimulating effect is demonstrated in seeds, development of plants is accelerated and their yielding capacity is improved. The following table illustrates average data concerning the yielding capacity of spring wheat Iren [6].
Also, it should be noted that in some sources it is established that laser treatment of seeds is not very efficient against the seed infection, root rot and does not provide the further protection of plants against diseases [4, 5]. And in the paper [6] it is proved that the effect of laser irradiation of seeds can be either positive or negative or even neutral. It is obvious that laser apparatuses are applied in the industrial agriculture in insufficient degree [4,5].
It should be noted in conclusion that whereas scientists have determined the wavelength range long time ago, but recommendations on the selection of specific conditions of pulse or continuous radiation use, range of the values of output parameters depend on the results of further studies [6].
Undoubtedly, the creation of lasers made revolution in science and engineering. During two last decades from the moment of their occurrence fundamental and applied schools of physical optics and particularly optical quantum electronics and nonlinear optics were sequentially formed. Currently, neither modern fundamental studies, nor solution of technical or technological tasks are possible without lasers. It is applicable for agriculture as well [2].
As it is known, the cost of wheat directly depends on the content of gluten and protein because availability of these elements particularly determines the baking qualitative parameters of grain.
According to the data of the Federal Center of Quality and Safety Assurance for Grain and Grain Products, in Russia the grain quality continues to degrade [3]. Thus, the share of milling wheat decreased almost by 63% in the most bumper-crop year of 2008.
In practice, the treatment of plants with fungicides, herbicides and insecticides noticeably reduces the gluten content because the chemical preparations cause additional stress and suppress the growth of plants.
Currently, various physical methods and, in particular, treatment with laser radiation have the special place in plant protection against pathogens.
It should be reminded that laser treatment represents the continuous or pulse irradiation of the seeds of agricultural crops and their sprouts with the laser beams of certain wavelength which varies within the range of 632 to 670 nm. The main purpose of technological method is to improve the crop yielding capacity, reduce the disease incidence, and develop the extensive root system of plants. It was proved on the basis of many studies that as a result of seed treatment with laser radiation their germinating capacity and germinating energy grow, and thus plants develop faster and give more crops.
Indeed, the laser photoactivation started to develop in 70s of this century. Under the industrial conditions, laser photoactivation method has been successfully used and is being used in Kazakhstan and certain regions of the Russian Federation, for example, in Rostov, Kuybyshev Regions, Krasnodar Territory. Fundamentally new method of laser photoactivation is more efficient in comparison with the existing physical and chemical methods of pre-sowing treatment of seeds.
First of all, advantages include short time of exposure and absence of negative effects within the wide range of modes of seed laser treatment. Secondly, the stable increase in the crop yielding capacity is recorded [1, 6] against the background of various soil-climate conditions. Enhancement of the quality of agricultural products is registered and, in particular, increase of the concentration of sugars, vitamins, proteins and gluten is established. Of course, at the expense of increase of field germination rate of seeds and strengthening of growth processes, the decrease of seeding rate by 10–30% is quite possible [1, 4]. Improvement of plant resistance to various diseases is noticed. Treatment harmlessness for seeds and personnel should also be noted here.
Analyzing much data concerning the use of laser technologies, it was detected that they are insufficiently adapted to the industrial conditions of grain growing. The matter is that the use of lasers for grain crops is limited only by the treatment of seeds for the purpose of stimulation of crops germinating capacity and yielding capacity. Technology using the laser device LU-2 which allows treating the seeds and vegetating plants as well is the most adapted to the industrial scale. Device is developed by the Limited Liability Company Research and Manufacturing Branch “Biolaser”. Efficiency of this laser apparatus is quite high and makes it possible to treat great volumes of grain and thus considerable planting areas [5, 6].
Thus, we can state that the laser activation of seeds results in the significant positive effect because early stimulating effect is demonstrated in seeds, development of plants is accelerated and their yielding capacity is improved. The following table illustrates average data concerning the yielding capacity of spring wheat Iren [6].
Also, it should be noted that in some sources it is established that laser treatment of seeds is not very efficient against the seed infection, root rot and does not provide the further protection of plants against diseases [4, 5]. And in the paper [6] it is proved that the effect of laser irradiation of seeds can be either positive or negative or even neutral. It is obvious that laser apparatuses are applied in the industrial agriculture in insufficient degree [4,5].
It should be noted in conclusion that whereas scientists have determined the wavelength range long time ago, but recommendations on the selection of specific conditions of pulse or continuous radiation use, range of the values of output parameters depend on the results of further studies [6].
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