Republished from Organic Grower:Lisi Global Inc. is taking part in the latest US Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant focused on methyl bromide replacement.
Lisi Global’s Directed Energy technology explores alternative approaches to soil fumigation using electric pulses applied to the soil to control target organisms. Photo: FileIn partnership with researchers from Oregon State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service at OSU, Lisi Global will adapt its Directed Energy technology to explore alternative approaches to soil fumigation using electric pulses applied to the soil to control target organisms, as well as continuous electrical current to heat the soil as a means of disinfection. The two-year study also includes economic analysis to determine how cost-effective these pest management tools will be. According to OSU professor Dr. Marcelo Moretti, the grant’s Principal Investigator, “Lisi Global’s technology demonstrated efficacy in early greenhouse trials, and the impressive results produced in the early stages of their turf pest control efforts make it worthy of evaluating on a larger scale. We are grateful to the USDA/NIFA for the opportunity to look closely at DE Technology as an alternative to fumigation.” Read the full article here: https://organicgrower.info/news/lisi-global-taking-part-in-fumigant-replacement-research/ USGA Green Section article mention of Lisi Global's pulse power technology!
"When the average person pictures a healthy soil in their mind, they probably have an image of a loose, dark-colored soil that is somewhat moist and filled with earthworms. Just Google “healthy soil” and you’ll be presented with countless photos of people holding that exact thing. Many people associate earthworms with soil health, and for good reason. Earthworms are beneficial for soil aeration, water infiltration, thatch control, nutrient recycling and they can increase microbial activity. They are truly movers and shakers when it comes to soils. There are over 7,000 different species of earthworms which are divided into more than 700 genera and 23 families (Edwards, 2021). Only a small fraction of that total is native to North America. Most of the earthworms that dominate our soils here in the U.S. were introduced from Europe and Asia. Lumbricus rubellus, the red earthworm, is a familiar sight in many American gardens, but it’s actually an earthworm from Europe that was most likely introduced via soil from early settlers."  Though the evolution of the DES machine will result in soil pest reduction across many cropping systems, Lisi is focused on turf grass and turf management (golf, football pitches, cricket, horse tracks and more!) to take our pulse electric energy technology to market. To keep up with the decline in chemical availability and efficiency, Direct|Turf offers superintendents and greenkeepers another tool in their toolbox to control pests. Here is how Lisi is using technology - specifically, electricity - at the rootzone to squelch pest and nematode activity and other soil-borne pests that wreak havoc on many courses and turfgrass. Focusing on four aspects of Lisi Global’s patented Directed Energy Technology (the DES), we can explore what makes this technology unique and timely. 1. We treat at the rootzone. A unique and exciting advantage of Directed Energy technology is that effective energy profiles can be applied to the rootzone, relying on the rhizosphere (where water and nutrients are carried in the root) to carry the electricity. This is done without concern of harming the roots of the turfgrass. Restore healthy appearance with broad spectrum control of endo-parasitic nematodes, phylloxera, and other root dwellers. 2. We use high-voltage technology. This technology approach is clearly explained in a brief 112-page peer reviewed paper, Reviews of Modern Plasma Physics (2021). If reading the entire publication is not what you have time for, let’s help by providing the details that make sense to Lisi’s tech approach to pest management. Let’s first hone in on the concept of pulsed power and pulsed electric fields. According to Akiyama and Heller’s work in 2017, “pulsed power is the technology of accumulating energy during a relatively long period of time and of releasing the accumulated energy in extremely short periods as a high power pulse composed of high voltage and large current.” The DES system is patented technology that generates short and fast pulses of energy delivered to the rootzone impacting the pests - while preventing damage to the plant. The goal, as this technology has been refined over eight years, is not necessarily to kill the organisms in its path but to do just enough damage to have a “biological effect”. So a nematode, for example, is no longer capable of eating, foraging, reproducing, etc. As the peer-reviewed paper explains, the application of electric pulse energy for agriculture is beginning to be realized. “These applications are mainly based on the biological effects of a spatially distributed electric field and the chemically active species in the plasma. The PEFs are caused by applying pulse voltage between the electrodes and contribute to form pores on the cell membrane or to change conformation of protein. When the applied voltage exceeds the discharge onset criterion, plasmas are generated through the avalanche process of electron accelerated with intense electric field in a gas or liquids medium. The plasmas produce chemically active species, UV radiation, an intense electric field in the vicinity of discharge channel and shock waves, which also have different biological effects.” What does this mean for pests that are not microscopic? Thanks to the intensity of the energy profile for nematodes, larger organisms like Mole crickets, leatherjackets, or chafer grubs are a much easier target. This also means that when nematodes aren’t the issue, a less intense profile can be used. How did we get this figured out? From years of electrical engineering experience, working with high voltage medical imaging equipment. Rapid advancements in HV technology were key to creating the electronic architecture to achieve the outcomes Lisi was looking to create to specifically target rootzone pests where they do the most damage. And also, geeks. We have qualified geeks on our side. 3. Speed of treatment vs. goal of treatment. A concentration of energy is key to the treatment's efficacy. Controlled pulses of energy from the DES will penetrate the cells of the fungal pathogen or impact the nervous system of the nematode or insect - dramatically shortening the pest's life. This is done in SECONDS with NO thermal effect. Why is this electric pulse energy NOT exactly like getting hit by lightning? To better understand how electricity is being used with the DES, we can refer to research by Akiyama and Heller, 2017: “For pulsed power generators in the agricultural applications, it is important to design as repetitive high-voltage output with optimum amplitude of voltage and waveform shapes, to deliver the moderate pulsed power into the biologic loads.” By generating high voltage power with electric field distribution, the biological effect is achieved with a focus on the rootzone. By not harming the plant’s root, the pest is altered and inhibited from growth or there is an indirect effect where inactivation of bacteria (pathogen) is achieved. Since this is an alternative to chemical fumigants and nematicides, we can offer the benefit of short term damage to beneficials versus continued and ongoing damage caused by chemical applications. DES is only able to treat within the treatment zone where the high voltage application can reach. 4. Over a period of time, pests will eventually adapt to chemistry. Pests can’t build resistance to being targeted by our high-voltage electric pulses. To date, no creature is immune to the acute effects of electricity…and if you’re a nematode - you don’t have legs and speed to run away. Sorry. As chemicals are continuing to be phased out in the EU and UK and outlawed in many of the States in North America, agriculture’s reliance on chemical fumigants and nematicides is becoming more difficult. While the DES is currently being deployed on golf greens, greater issues for the overall food supply are looming. We need solutions now. DES is one solution to enhance vigor and yield without harmful chemicals that impact waterways, animals and people. Lisi Global has been honing its technology for over eight years and has never lost sight of the impact DES technology will have on global food security. This remains at the forefront of our vision for a healthier world. One electric pulse (and golf green) at a time! Resource:
“Pulsed power applications for agriculture and food processing.” Reviews of Modern Plasma Physics (2021) 5:12 http://doi.org/10.1007/s41614-021-00059-9 Though the evolution of the DES machine will result in soil pest reduction across many cropping systems, Lisi is focused on turf grass and turf management (golf, cricket pitches, horse tracks and more!) to take our pulse electric energy technology to market. To keep up with the decline in chemical availability and efficiency, Direct|Turf offers superintendents and greenkeepers another tool in their toolbox to control pests. Here is how Lisi is using technology - specifically, electricity - at the rootzone to squelch pest and nematode activity and other soil-borne pests that wreak havoc on many courses and turfgrass. Focusing on four aspects of Lisi Global’s patented Directed Energy Technology (the DES), we can explore what makes this technology unique and timely. 1. We treat at the rootzone. A unique and exciting advantage of Directed Energy technology is that effective energy profiles can be applied to the rootzone, relying on the rhizosphere (where water and nutrients are carried in the root) to carry the electricity. This is done without concern of harming the roots of the turfgrass. Restore healthy appearance with broad spectrum control of endo-parasitic nematodes, phylloxera, and other root dwellers. 2. We use high-voltage technology. This technology approach is clearly explained in a brief 112-page peer reviewed paper, Reviews of Modern Plasma Physics (2021). If reading the entire publication is not what you have time for, let’s help you skip it and give you the details that make sense to Lisi’s tech approach to pest management. Let’s hone in on the concept of pulsed power and pulsed electric fields. According to Akiyama and Heller’s work in 2017, “pulsed power is the technology of accumulating energy during a relatively long period of time and of releasing the accumulated energy in extremely short periods as a high power pulse composed of high voltage and large current.” The DES system is patented technology that generates short and fast pulses of energy delivered to the rootzone impacting the pests - while preventing damage to the plant. The goal, as this technology has been refined over eight years, is not necessarily to kill the organisms in its path but to do just enough damage to have a “biological effect”. So a nematode, for example, is no longer capable of eating, foraging, reproducing, etc. As the peer-reviewed paper explains, the application of electric pulse energy for agriculture is beginning to be realized. “These applications are mainly based on the biological effects of a spatially distributed electric field and the chemically active species in the plasma. The PEFs are caused by applying pulse voltage between the electrodes and contribute to form pores on the cell membrane or to change conformation of protein. When the applied voltage exceeds the discharge onset criterion, plasmas are generated through the avalanche process of electron accelerated with intense electric field in a gas or liquids medium. The plasmas produce chemically active species, UV radiation, an intense electric field in the vicinity of discharge channel and shock waves, which also have different biological effects.” What does this mean for pests that are not microscopic? Thanks to the intensity of the energy profile for nematodes, larger organisms like Mole crickets, leatherjackets, or chafer grubs are a much easier target. This also means that when nematodes aren’t the issue, a less intense profile can be used. How did we get this figured out? From years of electrical engineering experience, working with high voltage medical imaging equipment. Rapid advancements in HV technology were key to creating the electronic architecture to achieve the outcomes Lisi was looking to create to specifically target rootzone pests where they do the most damage. And also, geeks. We have qualified geeks on our side. 3. Speed of treatment vs. goal of treatment. A concentration of energy is key to the treatment's efficacy. Controlled pulses of energy from the DES will penetrate the cells of the fungal pathogen or impact the nervous system of the nematode or insect - dramatically shortening the pest's life. This is done in SECONDS with NO thermal effect. Why is this electric pulse energy NOT exactly like getting hit by lightning? To better understand how electricity is being used with the DES, we can refer to research by Akiyama and Heller, 2017: “For pulsed power generators in the agricultural applications, it is important to design as repetitive high-voltage output with optimum amplitude of voltage and waveform shapes, to deliver the moderate pulsed power into the biologic loads.” By generating high voltage power with electric field distribution, the biological effect is achieved with a focus on the rootzone. By not harming the plant’s root, the pest is altered and inhibited from growth or there is an indirect effect where inactivation of bacteria (pathogen) is achieved. Since this is an alternative to chemical fumigants and nematicides, we can offer the benefit of short term damage to beneficials versus continued and ongoing damage caused by chemical applications. DES is only able to treat within the treatment zone where the high voltage application can reach. 4. Over a period of time, pests will eventually adapt to chemistry. Pests can’t build resistance to being targeted by our high-voltage electric pulses. To date, no creature is immune to the acute effects of electricity…and if you’re a nematode - you don’t have legs and speed to run away. Sorry. As chemicals are continuing to be phased out in the EU and UK and outlawed in many of the States in North America, agriculture’s reliance on chemical fumigants and nematicides is becoming more difficult. The ongoing supply chain, increased cost of oil for transport and global food chain reality make the need for alternative solutions to controlling pests and pathogens critical. While the DES is currently being deployed on golf greens, greater issues for the overall food supply are looming. We need solutions now. DES is one solution to enhance vigor and yield without harmful chemicals that impact waterways, animals and people. Lisi Global has been honing its technology for over eight years and has never lost sight of the impact DES technology will have on global food security. This remains at the forefront of our vision for a healthier world. One electric pulse (and golf green) at a time! Resources
“Pulsed power applications for agriculture and food processing.” Reviews of Modern Plasma Physics (2021) 5:12 http://doi.org/10.1007/s41614-021-00059-9 Directed Energy Soil Amendments – a breakthrough in chemical-free soil pest and pathogen control.8/14/2020 The question began with: is there a technology-based solution that effectively reduces nematode populations in infested soils? The answer is, yes. After eight years and four iterations, Directed Energy (DE) technology was developed by AgTech startup, Lisi Global, Inc. The cofounder and CEO, Jason Crisp, working with nematologist Ekaterini Riga, PhD, and COO, Jeffery McComb, together patented Direct Energy System (DES), to effectively reduce nematode populations in increasing volumes of infested soil.
For more than a century, chemicals have been the most effective tool used to control pests of all kinds, but that tool devolved into the proverbial hammer; now every problem is a nail. In other words, innovation outside of chemistry hasn’t kept up. When there is a pest that needs to be controlled, growers try everything in the available playbook to manage the problem, but eventually, they’re forced to resort to chemicals. Chemicals play a massive and important role in agriculture and food production, as there are a lot of problems that are mitigated by chemicals. But when it comes to soil pest and pathogen management, chemicals have always struggled to achieve, and especially maintain, efficacy while being mindful of their long-term impact on the environment. Balancing efficacy and persistence is where chemicals struggle most. If it is effective, chances are it persists too long in the soil and is harmful to the crop or the environment. There hasn’t been a new, effective chemical treatment for nematodes in nearly a decade, and there isn’t anything in the pipeline that holds any promise. Until now... There are dozens, if not hundreds, of Ag markets that have had to rethink their pest management strategy because the chemicals they rely on to manage nematodes are no longer approved, efficacious, or available. Golf and sports turf are no exception. In fact, of all the Ag segments that struggle with nematodes (and other soil pests) turf is the only one that actually has effective chemistry to manage infestations…sort of. What is effective is often limited to one or two soil pests and must be automatically applied at the max rate with regular reapplication. These nematicides are often applied in conjunction with other chemicals and this process requires re-entry delays of hours to days, pests develop resistance over time, and the list of downsides continues. But chemistry is all they have. Until now… Directed Energy Technology was developed as a non-chemical solution to eliminate soil pests in agriculture. It fills the void left by chemicals that have been phased out or lack broad-spectrum efficacy. The benefits of the technology are numerous. Because it’s non-chemical, the technology can be used in fallow or planted soil making it a perfect fit for golf and sports turf, small berry fruit, orchards, or any Ag segment that relies on long-standing plants to produce their commodity year after year. Direct|Turf is the first Directed Energy (DE) soil amendment to be introduced to the market. Focusing on turf is an obvious first market because of the struggle managing infestations on a crop that remains in place for years, but turf also provides an R&D benefit of nearly immediate results. Where chemicals are applied and maintained to achieve the desired visual effect over the long term, a Direct|Turf treatment will see improvement in a few days and follow up treatments (two to three times a year depending on the region) will ensure the infestations are extremely slow to return. Direct|Yield is a DE soil amendment for long-standing agricultural crops such as small berry, orchards, vineyards, etc., that struggle to manage infestations of nematodes and soil-borne insects that steadily reduce yield year after year. Currently, when infestations reach economic threshold, growers may rip out entire acres and replant. Direct|Yield can eliminate this expensive practice. Directed Energy soil amendments use specialized equipment that makes contact with the soil to apply the treatment. The technology utilizes sophisticated energy storage modules (often called batteries) to provide front-end power. The batteries can be recharged and maintained by solar panels on the system’s battery-powered tractor or plugged into a standard electrical outlet. This eliminates the need for a fossil fuel tractor or generator thus making the treatments carbon neutral. The Lisi Global family of Directed Energy soil amendments will include Direct|Organic for the highly specialized needs of the organic grower. Direct|Batch for in-house treatment of batch-processed seedlings and starts, and soil or other growing media for greenhouses to ensure only clean rootstock leaves the facility. Today, Lisi Global is focused on Ag segments and commodities with a smaller footprint. But R&D is looking ahead to expand applications to large area row crops like vineyards and vegetables, and to develop other beneficial and synergistic aspects of the technology that have been identified. The potential is seemingly endless for this breakthrough technology and as the company deploys Direct|Turf on the west coast later this year, the development opportunities will help fast-track deployment of the other Directed brands. For farmers and growers around the globe, tackling pests and pathogens is an historic struggle of epic proportions and with increases in insect resistance to chemicals, banned fumigants, like methyl bromide, plus a global awareness around environmental/sustainable practices, it’s a wonder we have golf courses to enjoy and strawberries to eat year-round!
Technology arrives on the scene, once again, to showcase how innovation provides positive outcomes and earth-conscious alternatives. Lisi Global is a Pacific Northwest-based company founded by a nematologist, an electrical engineer and a former project manager for professional race car teams. In what turned out to not be a lab accident, Lisi Global utilizes energy to eradicate nematodes and other plant parasites with its patented Directed Energy System (DES) technology. Chemistry has long been a solution for taming insects, pathogens and other species committed to the destruction of our human food chain. As history shows, humankind has been struggling against insects for growing our food since our humblest beginnings. The progress of science and technology in the 20th century changed our capacity for food production. “The primitive tools now had scientific reasoning to explain their efficacy and identify their chemical formulations, moving them from the realm of natural extracts to synthesized pesticides, and signaling the rise of the chemical pesticide revolution” (From “The Evolution of Chemical Pesticides”). Pesticides were the only way to reduce crop damage, feed an increasing human population and allow for more land to be utilized for farmers and growers. Plant-parasitic nematodes are on the rise in turf, berry trees and wine vineyards with significant populations in nearly every cropping system in the world. They feed on the roots of plants, decreasing plant vigor, and dramatically reducing crop yield. The damage caused by these pests interferes with the root system's ability to access and uptake nutrients and water. This unseen damage results in increased resource use as water and fertilizers are applied in increasing amounts to overcome the decreased efficiency of the damaged root system. Nematodes are persistent and are estimated to cause more than $100 billion in global crop losses annually. They threaten global food security by severely impacting agriculture's ability to sustainably increase productivity to feed an ever-increasing human population. Lisi Global offers a chemical-free alternative to relying solely on nematicides to improve crop (and turf) outcomes, and understands the growing need to increase our global reliance on alternative energy solutions. Lisi’s technology offers substantial benefits over every synthetic chemical developed for nematode or pathogen management, the drawbacks to which are numerous:
Lisi Global’s technology, utilizing electricity as our means to mitigate pathogens in turf and soils, works synergistically with chemicals and can stop the increase of chemical usage, positively affecting how we think of pest mitigation in general. The synergistic equation looks like this: based on what we now know of chemical usage and their decrease in efficacy on crops and turf, Directed Energy technology works to increase chemical efficacy while reducing their frequency and volume. And we can look at it this way: Lisi’s DES technology works symbiotically with chemical applications to create more effective outcomes (reduction in pathogens) in the turf or on plant roots. The history of chemicals and pesticides is certainly long and complex but the benefit of our technology is that there is finally a co-corroborator on the scene that enhances the efficacy of current chemical compounds (and reduces the amounts of chemicals applied), to assist with “cleaning” the soil with a short pulse of high voltage electricity and an instant eradication of the nematodes that were within range at the time of application. The fight against methyl bromide in California strawberry fields (see “wilted” info below) is certainly another crop that has seen an ongoing struggle with chemical fumigants. The struggle with pests and pesticides IS complex and growing even more so with the increased usage of chemicals along with pest’s resistance; the equation does not bode well for farmers, growers or the environment. Our DES, along with a crop-specific conveyance implement, creates a unique method of delivering tailored doses of energy into the soil to target pests and fungal pathogens to reduce their populations with/without the use of chemicals. The carbon neutral implementation uses solar-powered batteries to move the technology across turf grasses or along crops. For wine growers, and certainly those in our home state of Washington, there is NO chemical or other solution for controlling pathogens except plucking the commodity (ie. throwing away thousands of dollars worth of time, money and materials once an evasive pathogen has begun embedding itself into the grape roots). From golf turf to strawberry seedling soil to wine vineyards, Lisi’s technology is indeed a positive step forward in our human struggle to fight plant pests and pathogens. Lisi’s technology improves turf and crop health by eradicating the pathogens from the treated soil, offers immediate results (with no down time for the golf course owner) for farmers or growers alike. ** Resources: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/methyl-bromide.pdf Guthman, J. 2019. Wilted: Pathogens, Chemicals and the Fragile Future of the Strawberry Industry. University of California Press: Oakland, California. |