The global demand for food continues to increase, while water, soil quality, and energy resources become more constrained. Cold plasma and plasma-based.
The global demand for food continues to increase, while water, soil quality, and energy resources become more constrained. Greenhouse agriculture must therefore adopt highly efficient, low-input technologies. One promising candidate is cold plasma (CP) and plasma-based actuators, which offer non-thermal airflow control, microbial inactivation, and pest reduction with limited chemical use. These systems are currently being evaluated as tools to optimize greenhouse microclimates and crop health.
Cold plasma has demonstrated 5–7 log reductions in common agricultural pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Botrytis cinerea, and Salmonella spp. (Misra et al., Food Bioprocess Technol., 2016; Bermúdez-Aguirre et al., Innov. Food Sci., 2020). Plasma-generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) can damage microbial DNA and cell membranes without raising product temperature.
Non-thermal CP treatment improves seed germination rates by 10–30%, depending on crop species, due to surface sterilization and stimulation of biochemical pathways (Puač et al., Appl. Phys., 2014).
Plasma-based sanitation mitigates fungal, bacterial, and viral loads, reducing pesticide usage and aligning with sustainable agricultural policies.
| Benefit | Scientific Basis | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Savings | No mechanical parts; distributed airflow | Lower electric demand for ventilation |
| Improved Crop Quality | Uniform microclimate + reduced pathogens | Higher yields, fewer losses |
| Reduced Chemical Use | RONS inactivation mechanisms | Lower pesticide residues |
| Sustainability | Lower input usage (energy, chemicals) | Better ESG compliance & consumer acceptance |
Greenhouse decision-makers evaluating plasma systems must assess:
Cold plasma and plasma actuators represent a scientifically grounded opportunity to increase greenhouse productivity through microbial control, reduced chemical dependence, and energy-efficient climate management. Although research is ongoing, quantitative studies show strong potential for scalable, low-impact food production systems aligned with future sustainability goals.