Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. (2013) 61: 24318
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap/2012120420

Ozone-mist spray sterilization for pest control in agricultural management ^*

¹ Environment and Energy Laboratory, Fukuoka City, Japan
² Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan
³ Sanwa hi-tech Co. Ltd, 210-29, Yoshitomi, Shisui-machi Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Pref., 861-1201 Japan
⁴ Densoken Co. Ltd, 7-9-405 Hanamigawa, Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba City, Japan
⁵ Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 38A, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
⁶ Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, Wanshou Rd., Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China

^a e-mail: h.stryczewska@pollub.pl

Received: 30 September 2012
Revised: 2 November 2012
Accepted: 10 December 2012
Published online: 18 February 2013

Abstract

We developed a portable ozone-mist sterilization system to exterminate pests (harmful insects) in agricultural field and greenhouse. The system is composed of an ozone generator, an ozone-mist spray and a small container of ozone gas. The ozone generator can supply highly concentrated ozone using the surface dielectric barrier discharge. Ozone-mist is produced using a developed nozzle system. We studied the effects of ozone-mist spray sterilization on insects and agricultural plants. The sterilization conditions are estimated by monitoring the behavior of aphids and observing the damage of the plants. It was shown that aphids were exterminated in 30 s without noticeable damages of the plant leaves. The reactive radicals with strong oxidation potential such as hydroxyl radical (*OH), hydroperoxide radical (*HO₂), the superoxide ion radical (*O₂^‒) and ozonide radical ion (*O₃^‒) can increase the sterilization rate for aphids.