Cold plasma-enhanced maize seed treatment for improved resilience
Cold plasma technology offers a chemical-free seed treatment for maize, enhancing resilience against Pythium infection. This eco-friendly approach activates innate plant defenses and boosts seed vigor, promising better crop establishment under adverse conditions.
Overview
Cold plasma technology presents an innovative, eco-friendly solution for enhancing maize seed resilience against Pythium infections. By activating the plant's innate defense mechanisms and boosting early seed metabolic activity, cold plasma treatment (CPT) provides a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical seed treatments. It aims to improve germination rates and plant vigor, especially under the challenging conditions of cool and wet early seasons, without the negative impacts of chemical residues or microbial resistance.
Technical specifications
Features of Cold Plasma Treatment:
- Non-chemical, residue-free method for seed treatment
- Activates host defense responses and enhances metabolic activity in seeds
- Suppresses Pythium infection and improves seedling vigor
- Scalable and easily deployable across various agricultural settings
Validation Procedures:
- In vitro assays to assess chemical composition changes in treated seeds
- Controlled environment tests to evaluate germination, infection levels, and seedling health
- Comparative analysis of Pythium population in treated vs. untreated conditions
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at TRL 2, with ongoing experimental validation in controlled settings to determine its efficacy in enhancing maize resistance to Pythium and improving early plant health.
About AgResearch
AgResearch is a New Zealand government research organization focused on the agricultural sector; formerly an independent Crown Research Institute, since July 1, 2025 it has operated as a group within the Bioeconomy Science Institute. With major campuses co‑located at Lincoln University and near Massey University, and shared spaces with FoodHQ partners, industry teams can access specialized labs and collaborative project space. Company‑owned research farms nationwide enable field validation and scale‑up alongside commercial partners. Research is supported by New Zealand Government investment through MBIE programmes such as the Strategic Science Investment Fund and National Science Challenges, complemented by competitive grants and contract research. A dedicated commercialisation team manages IP, patents, licensing, and MVP development, and connects through national commercialisation networks.
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