Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

In agriculture, numerous factors can negatively impact crops resulting in reduced production yields, including poor seed germination and emergence, low early seedling vigour, and the presence of environmental stressors (pathogens, pesticides, water stress). To mitigate the impact of such factors, and increase crop production yields, few approaches are available. Firstly, genetic modification of seeds can encourage crop establishment. In addition, pathogens and other contaminants can be removed from seeds’ surfaces by performing treatments with chemical sanitizers, organic or inorganic acids, antibiotics, and bio-control bacteria. However, these treatments are not always effective and can be toxic, expensive, or both. Atmospheric or low-pressure cold plasmas have been actively explored for agricultural applications, for the treatment of agriculturally important seeds such as corn, wheat, rapeseed, hemp, etc., to enhance germination rates, plant growth, and increase crop yields by extension. Treatment effectiveness, however, depends on the type of seeds, and on the plasma conditions, as “cold plasma” is a generic term covering a wide range of non-thermal ionized gases with different characteristics. This project will tackle this challenge by proposing innovative methodologies that could become standard in plasma treatment of seeds to improve germination rates and reduce the necessity of chemical treatments. In 2023, Cold Plasma Group conducted preliminary work on the application of this plasma technology in collaboration with the Centre for Natural Products. Preliminary results were positive for both germination yields and water retention, though the data set was small. This project will continue the optimization of the plasma treatments, and extend to new seeds not previously tested. Canada stands to benefit significantly from the implementation of a new technology for agricultural seed sterilization and germination. The plasma treatment of seeds would result in a decreased need for chemical pesticides and fungicides, minimizing environmental impacts of farming. Improved germination efficiency and disease resistance reduces the number of seeds needed for planting, reducing costs and improving food security. This technology stands to improve the robustness of seeds that can withstand environmental stresses and improve the resilience of crops to climate variability, safeguarding food supply from a changing climate.