Disinfection from pine seeds contaminated with Fusarium Circinatum NirenbergandO’Donnell using non-thermal plasma treatment

摘要

Fusarium circinatum is a quarantine pest of trees that causes pitch canker disease in many pine species. The aim of this study was to test non-thermal, environmentally friendly plasma treatment for the disinfection of seed surfaces infected by F. circinatum. Inoculated seeds were plasma treated using a Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge apparatus working at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The exposure times of the plasma treatment were: 0 s, 5 s, 10 s, 60 s, 180 s, and 300 s. Data analysis was performed with ANOVA test. A reduction of seedborne pathogens (14–100%) and seed germination (0-6.67%) was documented at the end of seed cultivation. Inoculated seeds remained free of mold infection for 12 days of cultivation on an agar surface in Petri dishes already after a short plasma treatment time of 60 seconds. Inoculated seeds treated for 5 s and 10 s had smaller seed germination (5.33% and 6.67% respectively) in comparison to samples without inoculation and plasma treatment (16%). Inoculated seeds treated for 60 or more seconds did not germinate. This work demonstrated the possibility of using plasma treatment against the dangerous F. circinatum fungus as a type of physical disinfectant method. The following research strategy will deal with the methodology elaboration of seed disinfection which would keep the seeds viable.