Farmers and gardeners need only plant as much as they
need, confident that the germination rates for the following season would still be acceptable.
Another huge benefit of the cold plasma treatment is the
seeds’ ability to resist disease. Seeds treated with plasma
have anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. The cold
plasma treatment essentially inactivates any bacteria and
fungi present on the seeds. This means fewer seeds are
lost to common diseases such as damping off, and conventional seed treatments, from hot water to chlorine and
fungicides, can be reduced or eliminated altogether.
“The potential for this
technology is amazing, as it
could HELP PRESERVE rare and
disappearing plant species.”
LOOKING FORWARD
The potential for this technology is amazing, as it could
help preserve rare and disappearing plant species. A
2009 study looking at the effects of cold plasma treatment on the dormancy of seeds revealed that along
with the increased germination of seeds, dormancy
levels were reduced. Species with naturally long and
extended periods of dormancy, which are disappearing due to plant competition by invasive species, could
get a reprieve. Treated seeds could be re-introduced to
allow these endangered plant species a better chance to
survive (Será et al., 2009).
Plasma treatment is also a promising step forward in
the fight against genetically modified seeds, as it could
potentially provide the same benefits that GMO seeds
do. Research is ongoing—not all types of seeds have
been treated, with results well-documented. As a consumer, you can ask for seeds from your local nurseries
and garden centers that have been treated using the cold
plasma method. You may have to educate the people you
ask, but it will help raise awareness and get these seeds
into our collective hands sooner. There are still many
years of research and millions of dollars to be spent on
getting these seeds into the marketplace on a grand
scale, but our salvation from GMO seeds may be right
around the corner.
Maximum Yield USA | November 2015
149