Atmospheric pressure plasma treatment of agricultural seeds of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) with effect on reduction of diseases and germination improvement. Issue 2 (19th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Štěpánová, Vlasta; Slavíček, Pavel; Kelar, Jakub; Prášil, Jan; Smékal, Milan; Stupavská, Monika; Jurmanová, Jana; Černák, Mirko
• Other Names: Gherardi Matteo guestEditor.; Puač Nevena guestEditor.; Shiratani Masaharu guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Plasma processes and polymers. Volume 15:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-10-19
• Subjects: agricultural seeds -- cold plasma -- dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) -- germination -- reduction of diseases incidence; Plasma polymerization -- Periodicals; Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; Plasma chemistry -- Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.201700076
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-8850

Abstract

Abstract : The paper presents the effects of plasma treatment on agricultural seeds. Cucumber and pepper seeds, widely used in agriculture, were treated using the Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge (DCSBD) at atmospheric pressure in ambient air. The plasma treatment (4 s for pepper, 20 s for cucumber) led to an improvement of germination and germinating power. XPS confirmed chemical changes on the seed surface. The surface morphology of the plasma treated seeds showed no evidence of structural damage. The conclusion is that DCSBD proves to be able to reduce some of the microorganisms and pathogens affecting the seeds. Thanks to their technical simplicity and easy scaling‐up, DCSBD plasma sources open new opportunities for atmospheric pressure plasma application in the agricultural industry. Abstract : Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge at atmospheric pressure in ambient air was used for plasma treatment of agricultural seeds. Cucumber and pepper seeds were activated with plasma for 20 and 4 s, respectively. Improvement of germination and germinating power was observed after plasma treatment. XPS analysis, SEM analysis and reduction of pathogenic microorganisms is presented in this study.