PLANT AND METHOD FOR ANTIPARASITIC TREATMENT OF CROPS OR SPACES

Abstract

The invention relates to a plant (100) for antiparasitic treatment of crops or spaces comprising an emitter (10) of electromagnetic signals and an electronic control unit (40), to which the emitter (10) is operatively connected. The electronic control unit is configured to control the emitter so that it emits, in succession or simultaneously, a plurality of cycles of electromagnetic signals, said electromagnetic signals having a selectable frequency, cycle by cycle, based on the type of crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated. The invention also relates to a method for antiparasitic treatment of crops or spaces conducted using the plant (100) as defined above.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A system for antiparasitic treatment of crops or spaces, the system comprising: an emitter of electromagnetic signals; and an electronic control unit operatively connected to, and configured to control, the emitter, wherein the emitter is configured to emit, in succession or simultaneously, responsive to commands from the electronic control unit, a plurality of cycles of electromagnetic signals having at least a selected frequency, cycle by cycle, corresponding to a type of crop or space to be treated, or a parasite to be defeated.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the cycles of electromagnetic signals have a duration which is selected based on the type of crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the subsequent or simultaneous cycles of electromagnetic signals are separated by a time interval with selected duration based on the type of crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the frequency of the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter is variable from 50 KHz to 25,000 KHz.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the frequency of the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter is variable from 50 KHz to 3,000 KHz.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the emitter generates an electric field of 60 V/m and a magnetic field of 0.25 ?T.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter are electromagnetic waves having an impulsive waveform.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter are electromagnetic waves having an impulsive waveform with a positive offset.

24. The system of claim 16, comprising a repeater operatively connected to the electronic control unit and positioned inside an area of the crop or space to be treated, wherein the repeater is configured to receive and amplify the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter.

25. The system of claim 16, comprising at least one sensor of electromagnetic signals operatively connected to the electronic control unit, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a presence of electromagnetic signals and to transmit to the electronic control unit a feedback signal indicative of the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors of electromagnetic signals positioned in a vicinity of a perimeter of the crop or space to be treated.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein the electronic control unit comprises a memory having at least one antiparasitic treatment program stored thereon, each of the at least one program comprising operative parameters for commanding the emitter based on selection of the respective program, the operative parameters comprising one or more of: a treatment start and end time; a frequency or frequencies of the electromagnetic signal to be emitted; a number of electromagnetic signals to be emitted; a duration of each electromagnetic signal; and a time interval between successive electromagnetic signals.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein: the electronic control unit is controllable by a remote control device; and the remote control device is configured to enable selection by a user of the antiparasitic treatment program associated with the crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated.

29. A method for antiparasitic treatment of crops or spaces, the method comprising: selecting, via an electronic control unit, an antiparasitic treatment program based on a type of crop or space to be treated or a parasite to be defeated; and emitting by an emitter, responsive to commands from the electronic control unit, a plurality of cycles of electromagnetic signals, in succession or simultaneously, wherein the electromagnetic signals are generated with a frequency based on the selected antiparasitic treatment program.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising amplifying, via at least a repeater, the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising detecting, via at least one sensor of electromagnetic signals, a presence and a quality of the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the cycles of electromagnetic signals have a duration which is selected based on the type of crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the subsequent or simultaneous cycles of electromagnetic signals are separated by a time interval with selected duration based on the type of crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the frequency of the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter is variable from 50 KHz to 25,000 KHz.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the frequency of the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter is variable from 50 KHz to 3,000 KHz.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, made hereinafter by way of a non-limiting example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0056] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a plant for antiparasitic treatment of crops or spaces according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0057] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the various steps of the method for antiparasitic treatment of crops or spaces according to the present invention;

[0058] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the cycle of electromagnetic signals applied to three samples of Escherichia Coli in a first experimental example of antiparasitic treatment;

[0059] FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the cycles of electromagnetic signals applied to three samples of Escherichia Coli in a second experimental example of antiparasitic treatment; and

[0060] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the cycles of electromagnetic signals applied to three samples of Erwinia Amylovora in a third experimental example of antiparasitic treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] With reference to FIG. 1, a plant for antiparasitic treatment for crops or spaces according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

[0062] The plant, generally indicated with the reference numeral 100, comprises an emitter 10 of electromagnetic signals.

[0063] Preferably, the plant 100 comprises at least a repeater 20, more preferably a plurality of repeaters 20 suitably distributed within an area A of the crop or space to be treated and configured to receive and amplify the electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter 10.

[0064] The electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter 10, possibly amplified by the repeaters 20, have a frequency ranging from 50 KHz to 25,000 KHz, more preferably from 50 KHz to 3,000 KHz. It has in fact been observed that frequencies between 50 KHz to 330 KHz allow for the eradication of moulds, frequencies from 300 KHz to 530 KHz allow for the eradication of bacteria and viruses, frequencies from 500 KHz to 980 KHz allow for the eradication of mites, frequencies from 850 KHz to 1,500 KHz allow for the eradication of insects and frequencies from 1,200 KHz to 9,000 KHz allow for the eradication of small animals, such as rodents. This is due to the fact that electromagnetic signals having the particular frequencies indicated above are able to degenerate the molecular structure of the particular parasite and therefore prevent the proliferation thereof, creating a resonance effect in the RNA bond of its cells.

[0065] The electromagnetic signals emitted by the emitter 10 are advantageously not perceived by humans and are far from the electromagnetic signals which are dangerous for the integrity of the animals. In fact, human audible frequencies range from 20 Hz to 25,000 Hz (20 KHz), while, for example, those audible to a cat range from 50 Hz to 30,000 Hz (30 KHz).

[0066] The electromagnetic signals preferably have a maximum amplitude equal to 9 Volts.

[0067] Preferably, the emitter 10 generates an electric field of 60 V/m and a magnetic field of 0.25 ?T. Preferably, the above cycles of electromagnetic signals have a duration which is selectable based on the type of crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated.

[0068] In some cases, the above cycles of electromagnetic signals are separated by a time interval with selectable duration based on the type of crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated. Preferably, the electromagnetic signals are impulsive electromagnetic waves (square waves), more preferably with a positive offset.

[0069] The emitter 10 and, optionally, the repeaters 20 are operatively connected to an electronic control unit 40 (for example a computer), preferably provided with a memory 42, inside which one or more programs T1, T2, . . . , Tn of antiparasitic treatment are stored. In particular, each treatment program T1, T2, . . . , Tn is associated with the crop (for example a vineyard) or space (for example an apple storage warehouse) to be treated or with the parasite to be eradicated and includes the following operational parameters: time start and end of the treatment, frequency(ies) of the electromagnetic signal to be emitted, number of electromagnetic signals to be emitted, duration of each electromagnetic signal and time interval between successive electromagnetic signals.

[0070] Preferably, the plant 100 further comprises one or more sensors 30 of electromagnetic waves, which are suitably distributed in the crop or space to be treated, precisely in the vicinity of one of a perimeter P thereof.

[0071] The sensors of electromagnetic waves 30 are operatively connected to the electronic control unit 40 and configured to detect the total coverage of the microbicidal electromagnetic signal within the area A to be treated. They therefore allow the correct functioning of the emitter 10 and of the repeaters 20 to be checked. The sensors of electromagnetic waves 30 are also configured to transmit a feedback signal to the electronic control unit 40.

[0072] Preferably, it is possible to provide a remote control device, for example a smartphone 50 provided with an application through which a user U can select a treatment program T1, T2, . . . , Tn associated with the crop or space to be treated or with the parasite to be defeated and control the electronic control unit 40 to activate the system components 100.

[0073] As an alternative to the smartphone 50, it is possible to use any other intelligent portable device suitable for the purpose, for example a tablet, a portable computer or a dedicated device, provided with a suitable computer program.

[0074] With reference to FIG. 2, a method for antiparasitic treatment of a crop or space conducted using the plant 100 described above and illustrated in FIG. 1 will now be described.

[0075] The method starts with a step S1, in which the user U, using the electronic control unit 40 or the remote control device 50 operatively connected to the electronic control unit 40, selects an antiparasitic treatment program T1, T2, . . . , Tn according to the crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated. In particular, by selecting an antiparasitic treatment program, the user U selects, according to the crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated, operative parameters such as treatment start and end time, frequency(ies) of the electromagnetic signal to be emitted, number of electromagnetic signals to be emitted, duration of each electromagnetic signal and time interval between successive electromagnetic signals. Alternatively, the user U may purchase, for example by subscribing to an annual subscription, a series of antiparasitic treatment programs, which have been certified and approved with the operative parameters relating to the parasites to be defeated of his/her interest.

[0076] Step S1 is followed by a step S2, in which the electronic control unit 40 commands the emitter 10 to emit successive or simultaneous cycles of antiparasitic disturbance electromagnetic signals according to the operative parameters associated with the treatment program T1, T2, . . . , Tn previously selected. In the case of simultaneous cycles of electromagnetic signals, these can be emitted for a given time at predetermined intervals, thus forming a set of electromagnetic signals.

[0077] Step S2 is preferably followed by a step S3, in which the electronic control unit 40 commands one or more repeaters 20, depending on the extent of the area A to be treated, so that they amplify the electromagnetic disturbance signal emitted by the emitter 10.

[0078] Step S2 is preferably followed by a step S4 in which the electronic control unit 40 communicates with one or more electromagnetic signal sensors 30, depending on the extent of the area A to be treated, so that they check the correct operation of the emitter 10 and repeaters 20 and transmit a feedback signal to the electronic control unit 40.

[0079] At the end of steps S3 and S4, the user U of the plant 100 checks whether, following the antiparasitic treatment, the parasites have been defeated. If so, the method ends otherwise, if not, the repeaters 20 can be repositioned and from step S6 the method returns to step S2.

Example 1

[0080] In the following example, three batteries of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria samples, inserted in tubes containing a liquid solution, were subjected to three cycles, in succession, of antiparasitic treatment, each comprising four electromagnetic signals at increasing frequencies.

[0081] The duration of one cycle was 21 minutes. In practice, each frequency was repeated with an interval of 21 minutes.

[0082] FIG. 3 graphically shows, for each cycle, the frequency, as a function of time, of the four electromagnetic signals that compose it.

[0083] The three treatment cycles were carried out at an environment temperature of about 20? C. Each electromagnetic signal had a duration of 7 minutes.

[0084] Table 1 below shows the operative parameters for each of the four electromagnetic signals of the three treatment cycles, that is: start time, end time, frequency, duration and number of repetitions.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Signal 1 Signal 2 Signal 3 Signal 4 start time 11:45 start time 11:52 start time 11:59 start time 12:06 frequency 356.393 KHz frequency 392.000 KHz frequency 393.000 KHz frequency 420.000 KHz duration 7 duration 7 duration 7 duration 7 number of 3 number of 3 number of 3 number of 3 repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions end time 12:48 end time 12:55 end time 13:02 end time 13:09

[0085] Table 2 below shows the results obtained on the three samples in terms of cell concentration of bacteria, in the absence and in the presence of antiparasitic treatment.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Antiparasitic Cell concentrations treatment (log.sub.10 CFU/mL) absent 8.98 ? 0.01 present 0.33 ? 0.16

[0086] Following treatment with the electromagnetic signal cycles described above, a significant slowdown in bacterial growth was therefore observed. In fact, the concentration of E. coli bacteria went from 8.98?0.01 (log 10 CFU/mL), in the absence of antiparasitic treatment, to 0.33?0.16 (log 10 CFU/mL), in the presence of antiparasitic treatment.

Example 2

[0087] In the following example, three samples of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, inserted in Petri plates, were subjected to three simultaneous cycles of antiparasitic treatment, each comprising four electromagnetic signals at increasing frequencies. The cycles were separated from each other by an interval of 21 minutes and were repeated 3 times.

[0088] FIG. 4 graphically shows, for each cycle, the frequencies, as a function of time, of the electromagnetic signals that compose it.

[0089] The treatment cycles were carried out at an environment temperature of about 20? C. Each electromagnetic signal had a duration of 7 minutes.

[0090] Table 3 below shows the above-mentioned operative parameters for each of the three treatment cycles.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 3 start time 17:22 start time 17:50 start time 18:18 frequencies 356.393 frequencies 356.393 frequencies 356.393 KHz KHz KHz 392.000 392.000 392.000 KHz KHz KHz 393.000 393.000 393.000 KHz KHz KHz 425.000 425.000 425.000 KHz KHz KHz duration 7 duration 7 duration 7 number of 3 number of 3 number of 3 repetitions repetitions repetitions interval 21 interval 21 interval 21 end time 17:29 end time 17:57 end time 18:25

[0091] Table 4 below shows the results obtained on the three samples in terms of cell concentration of bacteria, in the absence and in the presence of antiparasitic treatment.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Antiparasitic Cell concentrations treatment (log.sub.10 CFU/mL) absent 8.72 ? 0.03 present 1.67 ? 0.16

[0092] Following treatment with the electromagnetic signals illustrated above, a significant slowdown in bacterial growth was therefore observed. In fact, the concentration of E. coli bacteria goes from 8.72?0.03 (log 10 CFU/mL), in the absence of antiparasitic treatment, to 1.67?0.16 (log 10 CFU/mL), in the presence of antiparasitic treatment.

Example 3

[0093] In the following example, three samples of Erwinia Amylovora, inserted in Petri plates, were subjected to three cycles of antiparasitic treatment. Each cycle included three electromagnetic signals having a frequency equal to each other and different from the frequency of the electromagnetic signals of the other two cycles.

[0094] FIG. 5 graphically shows, for each cycle, the frequency, as a function of time, of the three electromagnetic signals that compose it. The treatment cycles were carried out at an environment temperature of about 20? C. The electromagnetic signals of each cycle had a duration of 3 minutes and were separated from each other by an interval of 9 minutes.

[0095] Table 5 below shows the above-mentioned operative parameters for each of the three treatment cycles.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Signal 1 Signal 2 Signal 3 start time 11:25 start time 12:42 start time 13:44 frequency 350.000 frequency 347.200 frequency 352.100 KHz KHz KHz duration 3 duration 3 duration 3 number of 3 number of 3 number of 3 repetitions repetitions repetitions end time 12:01 end time 13:18 end time 14:20

[0096] Table 6 below shows the results obtained on the three samples in terms of cell concentration of bacteria, in the absence and in the presence of antiparasitic treatment.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Antiparasitic Cell concentrations treatment (log.sub.10 CFU/mL) absent 9.82 ? 0.01 present 3.69 ? 0.03

[0097] Following treatment with electromagnetic signals, a slight, but not significant, slowdown in bacterial growth is therefore observed. In fact, the concentration of Erwinia Amylovora bacteria goes from 9.82?0.01 (log 10 CFU/mL), in the absence of antiparasitic treatment, to 3.69?0.03 (log 10 CFU/mL), in the presence of antiparasitic treatment.

[0098] The selectivity of the plant and of the method for antiparasitic treatment of the present invention has also been demonstrated.

[0099] In particular, by placing together Petri dishes containing samples of Escherichia coli bacteria and Petri dishes containing samples of Erwinia Amylovora bacteria, and irradiating the Petri dishes with frequencies able to degrade Erwinia Amylovora bacteria, these drastically reduced their bacterial growth capability, while Escherichia coli did not undergo any alteration.