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Abstract
Seed sterilization is essential for preventing seed borne fungal diseases. Sterilization tools based on physical technologies have recently received much attention. However, available information is very limited in terms of efficiency, safety, and mode of action. In this study, we have examined antifungal activity of ozone and arc discharge plasma, potential tools for seed sterilization. In our results, ozone and arc discharge plasma have shown differential antifungal effects, depending on the environment associated with fungal spores (freely submerged in water or infected seeds). Ozone inactivates Fusarium fujikuroi (fungus causing rice bakanae disease) spores submerged in water more efficiently than arc discharge plasma. However, fungal spores associated with or infecting rice seeds are more effectively deactivated by arc discharge plasma. ROS generated in water by ozone may function as a powerful fungicidal factor. On the other hand, shockwave generated from arc discharge plasma may have greatly contributed to antifungal effects on fungus associated with rice seeds. In support of this notion, addition of ultrasonic wave in ozone generating water has greatly increased the efficiency of seed disinfection.
Highlights
Fungal infection in plant seeds diminishes the seed vitality and yield, and fungal pathogens can be preserved in seed lots, becoming a causal agent for seed borne diseases [1]
We have examined the antifungal potentiality of plasma and ozone using rice seeds infected with a fungal pathogen causing rice bakanae disease
When fungal spores were treated with plasma generated by arc discharge (12 KV, 3 Hz) in water, the number of germinated spores was decreased in treatment time dependent manner but about 4 log reduction in the number of active spores was observed after a 10 min treatment (Fig 2B)
Summary
Fungal infection in plant seeds diminishes the seed vitality and yield, and fungal pathogens can be preserved in seed lots, becoming a causal agent for seed borne diseases [1]. Control for seed associated fungal pathogens has been carried out by using fungicides, heat, electrons, natural antifungal products, and biological control agents [3]. These methods appear to be effective in controlling seed borne fungal diseases, concomitant drawbacks such as fungicide resistance, pollution, and incomplete efficiency are followed [3]. Technical improvement and alternative methodologies for efficient disease control are highly needed.
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