About the Speaker

My research theme focuses on the function and role of ion transporters that operate in biological membranes. I am investigating the activation of plant growth and the optimization of nutrient absorption, such as nitrogen sources, using plasma.

Abstract

Plasma-Driven Gaseous Nitrogen Fertilization to Enhance Plant Growth

Nitrogen is one of the three essential nutrients for plants, and its availability significantly influences crop productivity. However, plants cannot directly utilize atmospheric nitrogen and instead depend on nitrogen sources primarily synthesized through the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, which requires large-scale industrial facilities. Plasma-generated N₂O₅ is a highly reactive and hygroscopic compound that rapidly hydrolyzes to form nitrate ions (NO₃⁻). This property prompted us to investigate whether plasma-generated gas could serve as a nitrogen source for plant cultivation. We evaluated the feasibility of using plasma-generated N₂O₅ gas as a nitrogen fertilizer and found that, when introduced into the growth medium, it effectively supported plant growth under nitrogen-deficient conditions. To prevent the adverse effects of direct and prolonged gas exposure on plant development, we explored alternative methods for delivering plasma-generated N₂O₅ to plants. This approach highlights the potential of gaseous nitrogen fertilizers, enabling nitrogen uptake through the leaf surface. Plasma-generated nitrogen compounds may offer a novel nitrogen fixation strategy, facilitating the utilization of atmospheric nitrogen in agricultural applications.

1) Yamanashi et al. “Utilizing plasma-generated N2O5 gas from atmospheric air as a novel gaseous nitrogen source for plants.” Plant Mol. Biol. 114, 35, (2024)