Study of Direct and Indirect Plasma Application on Onion Seeding Bulbs : Small Multi-Field Experiment

Abstract

Cold atmospheric-pressure plasma is a promising tool for sustainable agriculture due to its generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). This study evaluated direct corona discharge and plasma-activated water (PAW) treatments on onion bulbs at seven field sites. Bulbs were treated by corona discharge (2 × 10 s or 2 × 40 s) or soaked for 24 h in PAW produced by dielectric barrier discharge. Volatile compounds were analyzed by GC–MS and PTR–TOF–MS. The 2 × 10 s corona treatment increased average bulb weight by 7.5%, with positive responses at six of seven sites, and enhanced propanal concentration at five sites (mean +26.3% vs. control). Water-based treatments showed only minor, nonsignificant effects.