Abstract
Nitrogen fixation is crucial for plants as it is utilized for the biosynthesis of almost all biomolecules. Most of our atmosphere consists of nitrogen, but plants cannot straightforwardly assimilate this from the air, and natural nitrogen fixation is inadequate to meet the extreme necessities of global nutrition. In this study, nitrogen fixation in water was achieved by an AC-driven non-thermal atmospheric pressure nitrogen plasma jet. In addition, Mg, Al, or Zn was immersed in the water, which neutralized the plasma-treated water and increased the rate of nitrogen reduction to ammonia due to the additional hydrogen generated by the reaction between the plasma-generated acid and metal. The effect of the plasma-activated water, with and without metal ions, on germination and growth in corn plants (Zea Mays) was investigated. The germination rate was found to be higher with plasma-treated water and more efficient in the presence of metal ions. Stem lengths and germination rates were significantly increased with respect to those produced by DI water irrigation. The plants responded to the abundance of nitrogen by producing intensely green leaves because of their increased chlorophyll and protein contents. Based on this report, non-thermal plasma reactors could be used to substantially enhance seed germination and seedling growth.
Highlights
A recent United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) survey reported that world grain production is approximately 2.216 billion tons, while demand hit 2.254 billion tons, and 9 million people continue to suffer from hunger [1]
The discharge current peaks appear at the positive half cycle of the applied voltage V, which is caused by the nonuniformity of dielectric barrier thickness; subsequently, the current trend is reversed in negative half cycle, with the enhanced electric field due to the accumulation of wall charge(Q) [42,43]
Hydrogen was generated by the reduction of hydrogen ions found in plasma-generated acid (HNO2 or HNO3) with the help of electrons produced by oxidized metals in water
Summary
A recent United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) survey reported that world grain production is approximately 2.216 billion tons, while demand hit 2.254 billion tons, and 9 million people continue to suffer from hunger [1]. Global food shortages will increase because the amount of land available for cultivation is continuously being reduced by infrastructure, industrialization, and urbanization. To fulfill the demand for food, crop yields should be increased via an economic, sustainable, and feasible process. The main reason for low crop yields is often connected to fertilizer limitations [3]. Nitrogen availability often limits crop production [4]. Adding fixed nitrogen to crops in the form of fertilizers enhances food production, and researchers are actively pursuing artificial nitrogen fixation mechanisms [5]
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