by Ashley Han
Photo byDong Zhang on Unsplash
Plasma: the commonly forgotten state of matter. Neither a liquid, gas, nor a solid, plasma has fascinated the world for many years.
At night, have you ever gazed at the diamond-like stars gleaming against the black canvas of the sky? You are simply gazing at millions of hot balls of plasma. The idea of incorporating plasma, often known as the “fourth state of matter,” into the modern world seemed to be the key to unlocking a variety of new industrial inventions that shaped society into what it is today. Although well-known for its use in semiconductors in high-tech industries and boosters for patients infected with Covid-19, the pandemic devastating the world today, plasma’s use is also playing a crucial role in many other fields, such as agriculture.
Plasma farming, as the name implies, is the process of using non-thermal plasma in farming to aid in the quick growth of plants without requiring as much water and chemical fertilizer. Non-thermal plasma, abbreviated as NTP, has a mean electron energy that is slightly higher than the ambient gases—gases in its natural state. When generating NTP, a large portion of the electric energy does not go into gas heating, but instead into producing matters with energy (Attri). This energy is directed to the ionization, the process where an atom loses or gains electrons, of background gas to produce many NTP species such as negative ions, photons, and electrically neutral gas molecules. These species can rapidly decompose inorganic and organic compounds, therefore acting as very strong oxidizers (Nijboer). Therefore, plants that are sufficiently exposed to non-thermal plasma can reveal increased seed germination, length of sprouts, activation of photosynthesis, resistance to multiple issues, and more.
However, a high dose of plasma may stunt the plant rather than improving it (Ornes). Thus, NTP should be given in appropriate quantities to the plant. This implementation of NTP in farming has shown great progress in benefitting the food industry.
So why is it that NTP is so crucial in agriculture? As stated previously, incorporating NTP in agriculture can promote healthy and efficient plant growth, producing several more healthy bunches of crops compared to crops cultivated with an absence of plasma (Nijboer). With less water and energy required to grow plants exposed to NTP, many resources can be saved to maximize crop production. Furthermore, NTP-exposed crops are proven to retain freshness and nutritional values much longer and better than normal food products (Sonawane). This not only allows for foods to maintain optimum condition for a longer duration of time but also provides consumers with a much larger variety of fresh produce.
“General aspect of (A) 5-d-old seedlings, (B) 15-d-old plants and (C) roots and nodules, grown from plasma treated seeds (PMN3 and PMO2), as well the control.” (Nature)
The rapid increase in the use of plasma to boost efficiency in agriculture holds potential for more innovative discoveries that could transform the food industry. With the popularity of plasma, first identified in 1879 by Sir William Crookes, scientists have yet to discover all the uses of this state of matter. Many believe in its potential to contribute to an extremely futuristic, ideal society many people in the past could only daydream about. Onwards, more people, hopefully, will remember this fourth state of matter—plasma—and the significant role it plays in agriculture.
References
Attri, P., Ishikawa, K., Okumura, T., Koga, K., & Shiratani, M. (2020, August 17). Plasma Agriculture from laboratory to farm: A Review. MDPI. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/8/8/1002.
Nijboer, B. (2018, February 13). The rapid emergence of plasma agriculture. Advanced Science News. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/rapid-emergence-plasma-agriculture/.
Ornes, S. (2021, September 7). Cold plasma could transform the sustainable farms of the future. Science News. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cold-plasma-agriculture-sustainable-farms-fertilizer.
Sonawane, S. K., & Patil, S. (2020). Non-thermal plasma: An advanced technology for food industry - sachin K sonawane, marar T, Sonal Patil, 2020. SAGE Journals. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1082013220929474.
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