Current Progress in Seed Disinfection by Gas Plasma: Disinfection of Seed-borne Fungi and Bacteria by Plasma with Alternating Current High Voltage Discharge
Terumi Nishioka, Tomoko Mishima, Yoichi Toyokawa, Tatsuya Misawa and Akikazu Sakudo
from: Gas Plasma Sterilization in Microbiology: Theory, Applications, Pitfalls and New Perspectives (Edited by: Hideharu Shintani and Akikazu Sakudo). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2016) Pages: 121-130.
Abstract
Seed-borne pathogens are one of the most important causative agents of plant diseases and prevent healthy growth, resulting in the reduction of marketable and profitable crops. Currently, treatments with hot water and air have been used for disinfection of seeds; however, these methods are time-consuming and sometimes damage seeds. Recent studies have shown the potential of gas plasma technology for disinfection of seeds. As short plasma treatments have achieved successful disinfection of seed-borne fungi and bacteria without seed damage, this innovative technology can facilitate rapid and safe disinfection of seeds. This chapter will outline our recent studies on disinfection of seed-borne fungi and bacteria by plasma with alternating current high voltage discharge and discuss the future perspectives for seed disinfection made possible by plasma technology read more ...