Using a special heating jet, air can be heated to a very high temperature and blown into regular water. In the heating process, air becomes plasma, which generates a variety of reactive oxygen and nitrogen radicals or species. When blown and dissolved into water, it is referred to as "plasma-treated water" or "plasma-activated water" (PAW). Typically, PAW has lower pH, higher conductivity, and salinity, and it is used to clean/sterilize surfaces. In crop production, PAW is also being promoted as an organic nitrogen fertilizer to control diseases and arthropod pests and to boost seed germination and seedling vigor. Commercial systems to produce PAW are already available.
Researchers at UC Davis, University of Minnesota, and Cornell University have teamed up to conduct research trials to develop new tools for greenhouse and nursery crops based on treatment with Plasma Activated Water (PAW). To better fulfill this mission, the team would like to gain better insight into growing practices currently used by industry members producing floriculture, ornamental, and edible crops. They have put together a short survey intended for growers, farm operation managers, and owners of operations that produce/use young plants.
The survey will help the research team address industry priorities for improving young plant production. A summary of the anonymized findings will be created and shared with the scientific and greenhouse/nursery production community in the future.
Do you think you could take 5 minutes to complete the survey? English and Spanish Versions are available. All responses will be anonymized, and nothing will ever be attributed to you. As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey will be entered in a drawing to win one of five $100 USD Amazon or Visa gift cards.
For more information:
Dr. Neil Mattson, Cornell University
Nsm47@cornell.edu