title: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Seed Sterilization and Germination Enhancement via Atmospheric Hybrid Nonthermal Discharge Plasma.
abstract: We designed a system to produce atmospheric hybrid cold-discharge plasma (HCP) based on microcorona discharge on a single dielectric barrier and applied it to inactivate microorganisms that commonly attach the rice seed husk. The cold-plasma treatment modified the surface of the rice seeds, resulting in accelerated germination and enhanced water imbibition. The treatment can operate under air-based ambient conditions without the need for a vacuum. The cold-plasma treatment completely inactivated pathogenic fungi and other microorganisms, enhancing the germination percentage and seedling quality. The final germination percentage of the treated rice seeds was ∼98%, whereas that of the nontreated seeds was ∼90%. Microcorona discharge on a single dielectric barrier provides a nonaggressive cold plasma that can be applied to organic materials without causing thermal and electrical damage. The hybrid nonthermal plasma is cost effective and consumes relatively little power, making it suitable for the surface sterilization and disinfection of organic and biological materials with large-scale compatibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and ‡Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University , 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Natthaporn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khamsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and ‡Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University , 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Damrongvudhi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Onwimol
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and ‡Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University , 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nithiphat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Teerakawanich
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and ‡Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University , 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sanchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dechanupaprittha
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and ‡Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University , 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Weerawoot
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kanokbannakorn
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and ‡Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University , 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Komsan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hongesombut
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and ‡Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University , 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Siwapon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Srisonphan
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects*; D012275:Oryza / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology*; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D058626:Plasma Gases
keywords: Oryza sativa; disinfection; electrical discharge; hybrid nonthermal plasma; seed germination