Experimental study demonstrates 4 kW microwave treatment restores fertility and beneficial microbes in degraded sugarcane soil, indicating an optimal physical soil remediation method.
Key Points
To evaluate the mechanisms and effects of 915 MHz industrial microwave thermal treatment on soil physicochemical properties, microbial community structures, and functional genes in continuous sugarcane cropping soil.
Treated continuous cropping sugarcane soil with 915 MHz microwave irradiation across power levels (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 kW) for a fixed exposure duration of 10 minutes.
Incubated treated soil samples for 0, 15, and 30 weeks to evaluate structural, chemical, and microbiological changes over time.
The 4 kW microwave treatment was optimal, breaking down compact soil aggregates, activating mineral-bound nutrients, and counteracting soil acidification and salinization.
The 4 kW power level upregulated genes associated with nutrient mineralization and antifungal metabolism while maintaining high abundances of beneficial biocontrol fungi.
High-power treatments (6 kW and 8 kW) caused early loss of soil organic matter, worsened late-stage salinization and acidification, and suppressed symbiotic beneficial fungi.