Electrostatic Spore-Trapping Techniques for Managing Airborne Conidia Dispersed by the Powdery Mildew Pathogen

Abstract

This review examines the progress of electrostatic spore-trapping research and the potential for the practical application of electrostatic apparatuses in powdery mildew control. These apparatuses produce an electric field by charging an insulated conductor wire (ICW). Airborne pathogen spores are subjected to an attractive force in the electric field and are drawn to the charged ICW as a result of dielectrophoretic movement. The strength of the attractive force is commensurate with the field strength (determined by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the ICW). Single-charged monopolar electric field screens (SM screens) are constructed by arraying negatively charged cylindrical ICWs in parallel at a specific interval. The connected electric fields of these ICWs form a gap-free air-shielding barrier. Wind-dispersed spores are precipitated by this barrier to create spore-free air. Oppositely charged SM screens have been combined to develop double-charged dipolar electric field screens, which generate a stronger spore attraction force under lower voltage application. Thus, electric field screens represent a promising physical method for creating spore-free spaces in cropping facilities, where plants can be cultivated without risk of infection by airborne fungal pathogens.

Keywords

• attractive force
• electrostatic field
• <i>Pseudoidium neolycopersici</i> L. Kiss
• <i>Penicillium digitatum</i>
• physical pathogen control
• spore collection probe