Utilization of plasma activated water (PAW) for plant growing is mainly connected with the treatment of seeds and subsequent stimulation of their germination. A potential of PAW is its relatively simple and low-cost preparation that calls for studying its wider application in plant production. For this purpose, a pot experiment was realized in order to prove effects of the foliar PAW application on maize growth. The stepped PAW foliar application, carried out in 7-day intervals, led to provable decrease of chlorophyll contents in leaves compared to the distilled water application. The PAW application significantly increased root electrical capacitance, but it had no provable effect on weight of the aboveground biomass. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters expressing the CO2 assimilation rate and variable fluorescence of dark-adapted leaves were provably decreased by PAW, but quantum yield of photosystem II electron transport was not influenced. A provably higher amount of nitrogen was detected in dry matter of plants treated by PAW, but contents of other macro- and micro-nutrients in the aboveground biomass of maize were not affected. Results of this pilot verification of the PAW application have shown a potential for plant growth optimization and possibility for its further utilization, especially in combination with liquid fertilizers.
Recently, the bactericidal and fungicidal effects of plasma-activated water (PAW) have been confirmed for its application in agriculture. Although the PAW application is beneficial in plant growth, no information is available about processes induced by PAW in soil. This paper gives the first experimental results about PAW’s influence on selected physical and physical–chemical properties of soil. PAW was prepared using the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) operating in the multistreamer mode at a frequency of 11 kHz. The total energy consumption was 60 J/ml. The obtained results show minimal changes in the natural water evaporation from the soil exposed to PAW, slower tap water absorption if a higher amount of PAW (16 doses per 10 ml to 90 g of the soil) is applied, as well as water retention in the soil of over 30%. The soil pH remains in the neutral range of values even at the highest applied PAW amount of 1.7 weight of soil, which represents the best conditions with respect to the plant growth. Thus, we can conclude that the PAW application, even at high amounts, has no negative influence on the physical and physical–chemical properties of soil and it can be safely applied in sustainable, environmentally friendly agriculture.
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most widely grown cereals in the world. Its cultivation is affected by abiotic stress caused by climate change, in particular, drought. Zinc (Zn) supplied by foliar nutrition can increase plant resistance to water stress by enhancing physiological and enzymatic antioxidant defence mechanisms. One of the possibilities to reduce the effect of drought on plant production is also the utilization of trehalose. In order to confirm the effect of the foliar application of selected forms of Zn (0.1% w/v solution)—zinc oxide micro- (ZnO) and nanoparticles (ZnONP), zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) and zinc chelate (ZnEDTA)—a pot experiment in controlled conditions was conducted in combination with trehalose (1% w/v solution) on selected growth parameters of maize exposed to the drought stress. A significant effect of coapplication of Zn and trehalose on chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, root electrical capacity, weight of maize aboveground biomass (AGB) and Zn content in AGB was found. At the same time, the hypothesis of a positive effect of carbohydrates on increasing the uptake of foliar-applied Zn was confirmed, especially for the ZnEDTA and ZnSO4. This paper presents the first empirical evidence of the trehalose addition to sprays for zinc foliar fertilization of maize proving to be an effective way of increasing the resistance of maize grown under drought stress conditions.
Plastic microparticles and nanoparticles are growing invisible threat. Estimates speak of a threefold amount of plastics in the year 2050 compared to today. The effect of these particles on aquatic organisms is relatively well mapped, but their effect on plants remains still poorly understood [1]. Plants are the key part of entire human population diet. Microplastics and nanoplastics are known to bind and concentrate harmful chemicals from the environment (POP, toxins, pesticides, PCB etc.), [2]. They increase stress too and especially in plants, they bind to the surface of root fibers [3]. It is estimated that there is such plastic pollution in European agriculture soil as in the North Pacific gyrus [4]. In this study, we have analyzed the effect of bacteria-sized particles on Arabidopsis thaliana, peas (Pisum sativum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) in hydroponic cultivation which eliminates the influence of soil and soil microbiota.The procedure with trifluoroacetic acid was used for the synthesis of PET microparticles (MPs), [5]. The result was particles with a reduction coefficient of 100x (500-125 μm to 7-3 μm). All the variants grew at 20 °C/18 °C day/night temperatures, under 16/8 h day/night cycle photoperiod with light sensitivity 150 μmol mol -2 s -1 in liquid Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium, placed in shaker with 75 rpm. Pisum sativum and Zea mays grew in same conditions as mentioned above, with the difference of growing in pots without shaking and using Richter solution as medium.Concentrations of MPs used in experiments with A. thaliana were 0 mg/l, 20 mg/l, 50 mg/l, 100 mg/l and 150 mg/l. It was believed, that lower amounts probably will not have effect on plants in medium. From all four variants used, the concentration of 150 mg/l seemed most damaging to the Arabidopsis thaliana. These plants showed significant loss of chlorophylls and showed symptoms of highly stressing environment. In general plants growing in environment with MPs grew significantly slower with ratio: higher concentrations of MPs = slower growth. For the plants of Pisum sativum and Zea mays were used concentrations 20 mg/l, where it seems it affected them by slight loss in chlorophylls, but the growth was not affected consistently. We believe that it is the interaction of MPs with mucilaginous sheath on roots that prevent efficient absorption of nutrients, but it needs another experiments. These results need to be verified using other methods (microscopy, SEM, transcriptomics etc.).These results are interesting in the context of agricultural production and vertical farming, which may be farming of future. Maize and peas appear to be sensitive to very low concentrations of MPs in the environment (20 mg/l), which is bad news especially in Europe, North America and East Asia, where production of MPs is the highest on the world. Road transport generates up to 16 mg/m 2 MPs annually [6] -these particles continue to interact with plants, which may have unexpected consequences for agriculture in future.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.