Electronically Controlled Root Heating Tubes

A solid-state, electronic controller was designed and built to maintain de“sired root-zone temperatures in specially designed root heating tubes. The controller uses a thermistor feedback mechanism to an operational amplifier circuit. The tubes were constructed from 7.5-cm-diameter metal pipe, electrical heating tape, a rubber coating, and pipe insulation. Each controller can maintain treatment temperatures in 16 tubes; four tubes at each of four temperatures. Temperatures can be maintained from ambient to 50C with a precision at 35 of ± 0.9C within and between tubes.