Plasma processed Zn fortification: The next generation sustainable technology for the improvement of agronomic traits of paddy

Zinc performs different metabolic functions in human body and its deficiency is a major concern mainly in the third world countries. Fortification of Zn in grain crops may have the possibility to meet the challenge. The present study was designed utilizing plasma technology for paddy crop in two ways: (i) seed treatment with gliding arc argon-oxygen-ZnSO₄-H₂O discharge plasma jet in combination with nebulizing system for the fortification of Zn in the seeds, and (ii) plasma treated water (PTW) was sprayed to the plants cultivated from treated seeds and thereby investigated the growth and development of paddy plants defence system, nutritional composition and yield of paddy. Gliding arc argon-oxygen-ZnSO₄-H₂O discharge plasma jet was employed to treat paddy seeds with nebulizing system for the duration of 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8 min and the 4 min treatment condition provided the maximum 98 % germination among the conditions considered. Seedlings germinated from the 4 min treated seeds were resettled in the research area and PTW were applied two, four, and six times at the time of their growing period. The results reveal that the growth parameters, and the plants defence mechanisms were enhanced. Further, Zn concentration in the grains and the yield of paddy were increased by 59.07 %, 24.06 % and 38.94 %, 22.27 % respectively, compared to control and the plants grown from the treated seeds where no PTW foliar spray was applied. This investigation exposed that the fortification of Zn in seed by plasma processing and PTW spray to the plants which in turn improved seed germination, enzymatic activities, Zn accumulation in rice, and yield. It is fascinating that the paddy harvesting time was reduced more than two weeks compared to control.