Non-thermal plasma application improves germination, establishment and productivity of Gatton panic grass (

Abstract

Megathyrsus maximus (Gatton panic) is a tropical grass highly valued both for its use as forage and for its biofuel potential. A major constraint in establishing pastures of this cultivar is the low viability and germination of seeds and the poor initial seedling establishment. We used non-thermal plasma (NTP, partially ionised gas) as a novel technology to treat seeds of this grass, aiming to improve their quality (i.e. germination traits). We also followed the performance of seedlings grown from NTP-treated seeds under field conditions by assessing seedling establishment, biomass production and forage quality during the first regrowth period, which is the critical period for pasture establishment. Two NTP treatments were performed through dielectric barrier discharges employing N2 as carrier gas. Non-treated seeds served as the control. Results showed that the viability of NTP-treated seeds was, on average, 1.5-fold higher than the control, and that germination energy and germination percentage of treated seeds was superior to the control by 2.1-fold and 2.2-fold, respectively. A field experiment showed that seedling establishment parameters (dynamics of cumulative emergence, emergence coefficient, and weighted average emergence rate) and pasture early productivity (represented by shoot dry matter) were enhanced by NTP treatment (phenolic sheet–polyester film barrier and 3 min exposure), showing 1.4–2.6-fold higher values than the control, confirming the results of the laboratory assays. Although NTP markedly increased the shoot dry matter production of the pasture, which was related to higher tiller population density and greater tiller weight, it did not affect the forage quality of the plants grown in the field. We conclude that NTP technology is suitable to improve seed germination of Gatton panic, in turn leading to improvements in seedling establishment and biomass production under field conditions without compromising forage quality.

Germination and Growth of Plasma-Treated Maize Seeds Planted in Fields and Exposed to Realistic Environmental Conditions

“…Conversely, Pérez Pizá et al have found improved seedling establishment parameters, such as dynamics of cumulative emergence, emergence coefficient, and weighted average emergence rate, after nitrogen DBD plasma treatment of Gatton panic ( Megathyrsus maximus ) grass seeds. This indicates that, compared to control seeds, seedlings emerged from plasma-treated seeds both earlier and in greater numbers [ 12 ]. Interestingly, in a publication concerning buckwheat, plasma treatment of seeds decreased the number of emerged seedlings but at the same time greatly improved plant growth and yield [ 13 ].…”

Non-thermal plasma enhances rice seed germination, seedling development, and root growth under low-temperature stress

“…Despite the high electron temperature during the discharge process, the temperature of the heavy particles remains low, creating a system characterized by a low-temperature state, called low-temperature (non-thermal) plasma [10]. Nonthermal plasma (NTP) is a novel and promising agricultural technology that can improve plant performance by modulating gene expressions associated with seed germination, plant immune responses to abiotic stresses, pathogen resistance, and growth regulation [11].…”

Role of Non-Thermal Plasma in Fusarium Inactivation and Mycotoxin Decontamination

“…With so much knowledge about NTP and its established diverse applications, the focus has also shifted towards the agriculture sector (known as ‘plasma agriculture’ [ 31 ]) in recent years, as there are calls for new and clean technologies to replace chemical pesticides that are growing around the world. Several research articles have demonstrated that NTP can potentially improve seed germination and crop yield [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Although it is evident that NTP undoubtedly works well in the enhancement of different crop traits, we shift our focus onto the main topic of this review which is the effective use of NTP in plant protection, especially against Fusarium spp.…”