Harnessing Cold Plasma Technology : Advancements and Applications in Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Cold plasma, a non-thermal, partially ionized gas, is emerging as a versatile tool with strong potential to improve sustainable agriculture through pre- and post-harvest stages. Cold plasma-derived reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can enhance seed germination, stimulate plant growth, bolster stress tolerance, and inactivate pathogens without causing thermal damage or degrading quality. Pre-harvest applications include seed treatment, modulation of plant-associated microbiomes, and enhancement of antioxidant defenses. Post-harvest, cold plasma enables surface decontamination, shelf-life extension, and degradation of agrochemical residues in food, water, and soil preserving sensory and nutritional attributes. Although optimization of treatment parameters, long-term impacts, and development of cost-effective large-scale systems remain, integrating cold plasma with other sustainable technologies could firmly position it within future resilient food production systems.