Effect of Plasma Activated Water Foliar Application on Selected Growth Parameters of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Utilization of plasma activated water (PAW) for plant growing is mainly connected with the treatment of seeds and subsequent stimulation of their germination. A potential of PAW isits relatively simple and low-cost preparation that calls for studying its wider application in plantproduction. For this purpose, a pot experiment was realized in order to prove effects of the foliarPAW application on maize growth. The stepped PAW foliar application, carried out in 7-day intervals,led to provable decrease of chlorophyll contents in leaves compared to the distilled water application.The PAW application significantly increased root electrical capacitance, but it had no provable effecton weight of the aboveground biomass. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters expressing the CO2assimilation rate and variable fluorescence of dark-adapted leaves were provably decreased by PAW,but quantum yield of photosystem II electron transport was not influenced. A provably higheramount of nitrogen was detected in dry matter of plants treated by PAW, but contents of othermacro- and micro-nutrients in the aboveground biomass of maize were not affected. Results of thispilot verification of the PAW application have shown a potential for plant growth optimization andpossibility for its further utilization, especially in combination with liquid fertilizers.

Utilization of plasma activated water (PAW) for plant growing is mainly connected with the treatment of seeds and subsequent stimulation of their germination. A potential of PAW isits relatively simple and low-cost preparation that calls for studying its wider application in plantproduction. For this purpose, a pot experiment was realized in order to prove effects of the foliarPAW application on maize growth. The stepped PAW foliar application, carried out in 7-day intervals,led to provable decrease of chlorophyll contents in leaves compared to the distilled water application.The PAW application significantly increased root electrical capacitance, but it had no provable effecton weight of the aboveground biomass. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters expressing the CO2assimilation rate and variable fluorescence of dark-adapted leaves were provably decreased by PAW,but quantum yield of photosystem II electron transport was not influenced. A provably higheramount of nitrogen was detected in dry matter of plants treated by PAW, but contents of othermacro- and micro-nutrients in the aboveground biomass of maize were not affected. Results of thispilot verification of the PAW application have shown a potential for plant growth optimization andpossibility for its further utilization, especially in combination with liquid fertilizers.