Agricultural products were sterilized by irradiation with active oxygen species produced by the combination of atmospheric plasma and UV light in ambient air. It was found that the surfaces of rice and lemons are sterilized after 20 min of irradiation. After the irradiation, the mold spores on the surface, although still viable, become unculturable. Treatment speed using the active oxygen species is higher than that using plasma or UV light alone. Infrared light spectra of the fruits surface indicate that there is no significant damage to the exocarp caused by the active oxygen species.

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The growth regulation characteristics of plants are investigated when plant seeds are irradiated with atmospheric discharge plasma. Enhancement of the germination and lengths of the stem and root of plants are observed after seeding. The total length of the stem and root increases approximately 1.6 times after a cultivation period of 72 h. The growth regulation effect is found to be maintained for 80 h of cultivation after seeding. The growth regulation originates from the change in the antioxidative activity of plant cells induced by active oxygen species generated in the oxygen plasma, which leads to the production of growth factor in plants.

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