Reviewing Plasma Seed Treatments for Advancing Agriculture Applications on Earth and Into the Final Frontier

Abstract

Abstract With benefits such as environmentally safe treatment methods to stimulate growth, to increase plant yield, and improve disinfection efficiency, literature on the field of plasma treatment of seeds is growing. Generalized variables and success criteria have not been well correlated between studies, so this review paper serves to connect plasma and agriculture technologies to coordinate future efforts in this growing area of research. The authors have particular interest due to space agriculture, where seeds are sanitized before being sent into space for crop production. In order to supply a spectrum of nutritional needs, it is necessary to provide a variety of crops and ensure biological decontamination before the seeds are being sent into space. Traditional seed sanitization methods are not viable for all seed types, so exploration of other options is needed to expand the astronaut diet on long-duration space missions. This review paper brings together the current state-of-the-art reported literature to aide in understanding plasma seed application apparatus, seed or crop performance pertaining to germination, growth, water interactions, inactivation of bacteria, and surface sanitization results. These recent works include evolving research themes for potential seed treatment sanitization processes for various seed types to ensure the viability of plants for future growth in microgravity crop production systems.