Microwave and Radio-Frequency Technologies in Agriculture

8 Insect and Decay Detection

One of the major challenges in agriculture and forestry is pest control. Insects constitute one of the major threats to agricultural production and stored food spoilage. Ever since ancient times, insects such as locusts have been a major cause of crop damage (Roberts 2010). Insects, such as termites and borers, also damage wood products as well. Decay causing fungi can also damage wood, stored fodder and stored grain. This chapter will explore how RF and microwave systems are employed to detect insects and decay.

8.1 Radar Entomology

Nikola Tesla foreshadowed the idea of remote detection of objects using radio waves; however radar was not fully developed until the mid-twentieth century. Most early applications of ...