Publications

Selected publication  

Okruhlicová Z., Lukačová Z., Hensel K.: Optimising plasma-activated water applications for enhanced growth and antioxidant capacity in maize hybrids: A comparative study of kernel priming, cultivation, and foliar application, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. X (xxx), xxx (2025).
citations: 0

Abstract

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and plasma-ac􀆟vated water (PAW) have emerged as promising tools with poten􀆟al applica􀆟ons in the agricultural sector. The reac􀆟ve oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) present in CAPs and PAWs have been reported to promote seed germina􀆟on, enhance plant growth, and improve stress tolerance. The objec􀆟ve of this study is to inves􀆟gate the effects of PAW on selected maize hybrids, focusing on its applica􀆟on methods, including kernels priming, short cul􀆟va􀆟on, and foliar applica􀆟on. The applica􀆟on of PAW for kernel priming significantly enhanced growth, with improvements no􀆟ced in root and shoot length, leaf area, fresh weight, water uptake, and accelerated lignifica􀆟on. Addi􀆟onally, an increase in carotenoid and phenolic concentra􀆟ons was observed in the leaves. When PAW was applied during cul􀆟va􀆟on, minimal improvements were observed compared to cul􀆟va􀆟on with tap water (TW). Further, foliar applica􀆟on of PAW was observed to increase carotenoid content in the leaves, enhancing an􀆟oxidant capacity. This applica􀆟on also yielded the most notable outcomes in terms of growth parameters and carotenoid concentra􀆟ons. On the other hand, it did not affect the ac􀆟vity of guaiacol-peroxidase (G-POX), nor did it influence the concentra􀆟on of phenolics and chlorophylls. These findings collec􀆟vely suggest that PAW may be beneficial for enhancing an􀆟oxidant capacity in maize, poten􀆟ally improving resilience under abio􀆟c stress. Further research into the op􀆟miza􀆟on of PAW composi􀆟on and 􀆟ming of its applica􀆟on could maximise these benefits, contribu􀆟ng to more sustainable crop produc􀆟on.