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has been overcome.” (Ref.: B. R. Lazarenko and J.B. certain frequencies (around 3 MHz or 100 metres), much less cur- Gorbatovskaya, Applied Electrical Phenomena, no. 6, November- _ rent is required for effective results: about 4,000 volts per linear December 1966.) (Figure 4) inch. The shorter the wavelength, the shorter the lethal time. The Seed-bome bacteria, fungi and insects can be destroyed without _ thickness of the seeds and their moisture content also changes a injuring the seeds, by application of high-frequency electrostatic _lethal dose. The temperature of the seeds and pests may rise up to fields between capacitor plates. Pests are destroyed when a lethal 60°C. oo degree of heat is developed within a few seconds. A longer expo- sure is required to cause decreased germination of seeds than is necessary to kill pests. (Refs.: T. Headlee, Journal of NY Entomol. Soc., vol 37, no. 1, pp. 59-64, 1929; and NJ Exper. Station Bulletin, no. 568, April 1929.) By this same method, it is possible to increase the power of ger- mination of old seeds which are naturally difficult to germinate. A greater percentage of treated seeds sprout sooner than untreated seeds. High frequency electrostatic fields also may be used to inactivate or enhance enzymatic metabolism of fruits and vegeta- bles, thus prolonging their storability or hastening their ripening. Some chemical changes occur in seeds during such treatment: decreased starch, increased invert sugar, and changes in albumin. Many theories have been proposed in explanation of the phe- nomena induced by high frequency currents. Perhaps the most feasible reasons are heating by conduction currents, or dipole antenna resonance. The lethal cffect begins at about 10.4 metres wavelength (29 MHz) when the condenser plates are 2 to 3 cm apart. Other researchers have reported similar effects with the following para- meters: plates, 12 cm diameter; current, 5.5 amps; wavelength, 5.6 metres (60 MHz); temperature, 30°-40°C. (Figure 5) The lethal parameters depend on the wavelength and the voltage gradient of the field strength (the distance between the condenser plates). Increasing either the frequency or the field strength while other factors remain constant, increases the speed of the effect on pests. An increase of either factor requires more current, yet at Continued in the next issue of NEXUS... FURTHER READING: 1. Ark, P. A. and W. Perry, Quarterly Review of Biology, vol. 15, pp. 172-191, 1940. 2. Battachayay, A. K. and A. K. Davis, Magnet and Magnetic Field, Firma K. L. Mukhpadyay, Calcutta, 1970, 3. Burridge, Gaston, Round Robin, Borderland Sciences Research Foundation, PO Box 429, Garberville, CA 95440-0429, USA, September-October 1971, p. 17. 4, Gallert, Mark L., New Light on Therapeutic Energies, Clarke & Co., London, 1966. 5. Kreuger, A. P. et al., Special Monograph Series, no. 1, Biometeorology Centre, Leiden, 1966. 6. Lawrence, L. G., Popular Electronics, February 1971, p. 70; ibid., June 1911, pp. 63-9, 93. pe Lawrence, L.G., Electronics World, March-April 1974; ibid., October 1971, p. 34; ibid., April 1970, p. 27. 8 ‘in L. E., Advancing Frontiers of Plant Sciences, vol. 15, pp. 97-120. 9. Murr, L. E., NY Academy of Science Trans., vol. 27, no. 7, pp. 761-71, 1965. 10. Mur, L. E., Nature, vol. 201, p. 1305, 1964; ibid., vol. 203, pp. 467-9, 1965; ibid., vol. 208, pp. 1305-8, 28 March 1964. 11, Paleg, L. G. and D. Aspinall, Journal of General Physiology, vol. 15, pp. 391- 420, 1932. 12. U, J. Pitman, Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences, vol. 44, pp. 283-7, May 1964; ibid., vol 47, pp 389-93, July 1967; ibid., vol. 50, p. 350, May 1970; ibid., vol. 51, pp. 64-5, January 1971. 13. T.C. N. Singh, "Mind and Matter”, Q. J., vol. 3, June 1969; De La Warr Research Lahoratories Ltd, Oxford, England. 14. Stone, R. B. et al., Crop Science, vol. 13, no. 2, pp 159-61, 1973. has been overcome." (Ref.: B. R. Lazarenko and J. B. Gorbatovskaya, Applied Electrical Phenomena, no. 6, November- December 1966.) (Figure 4) Seed-bore bacteria, fungi and insects can be destroyed without injuring the seeds, by application of high-frequency electrostatic fields between capacitor plates. Pests are destroyed when a lethal degree of heat is developed within a few seconds. A longer expo- sure is required to cause decreased germination of seeds than is necessary to kill pests. (Refs.: T. Headlee, Journal of NY Entomol. Soc., vol 37, no. 1, pp. 59-64, 1929; and NJ Exper. Station Bulletin, no. 568, April 1929.) By this same method, it is possible to increase the power of ger- mination of old seeds which are naturally difficult to germinate. A greater percentage of treated seeds sprout sooner than untreated seeds. High frequency electrostatic fields also may be used to inactivate or enhance enzymatic metabolism of fruits and vegeta- bles, thus prolonging their storability or hastening their ripening. Some chemical changes occur in seeds during such treatment: decreased starch, increased invert sugar, and changes in albumin. Many theories have been proposed in explanation of the phe- nomena induced by high frequency currents. Perhaps the most feasible reasons are heating by conduction currents, or dipole antenna resonance. The lethal cffect begins at about 10.4 metres wavelength (29 MHz) when the condenser plates are 2 to 3 cm apart. Other researchers have reported similar effects with the following para- meters: plates, 12 cm diameter; current, 5.5 amps; wavelength, 5.6 metres (60 MHz); temperature, 30°-40°C. (Figure 5) The lethal parameters depend on the wavelength and the voltage gradient of the field strength (the distance between the condenser plates). Increasing either the frequency or the field strength while other factors remain constant, increases the speed of the effect on pests. An increase of either factor requires more current, yet at 42¢NEXUS FEBRUARY - MARCH 1994