Date of Graduation
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Entomology (MS)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Entomology and Plant Pathology
Advisor/Mentor
Kariyat, Rupesh
Committee Member
Rahman, Mahfuzur
Second Committee Member
Clay, Natalie
Keywords
cold plasma technology; sustainable pest management; integrated pest management (IPM); plant defense mechanisms; insect herbivory; food security
Abstract
Effective insect pest management is crucial for ensuring global food security, as insect pests can cause severe economic losses in key crops that produce our food and feed. Modern pest management strategies heavily rely on chemical insecticides which lead to negative consequences, like pest resistance, resurgence and residual effects on food and water, thus necessitating the exploration of non – chemical alternative strategies. These alternatives can help mitigate pest proliferation as well as the harmful impact of pesticide residues on environmental and human health, ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and food security. Among these alternatives, strategies that are notable for their potential advantages, including reduced carbon footprints and environment friendly characteristics are of interest. Cold plasma treatment is one such strategy of interest due to its distinctive physicochemical properties and potential applications in enhancing crop yield, improving seed germination rates, and controlling plant pathogens, making it a valuable tool for sustainable agriculture. However, whether cold plasma can effectively protect plants against foliar feeders, and enhance plant defenses is poorly understood.
Cold plasma operates at near - room temperatures, making it suitable for operations involving heat-sensitive materials. This allows for the treatment of seeds, plants, and soil without causing thermal damage, thereby preserving their integrity and functionality. While cold plasma technology shows great promise in agriculture, there are still numerous areas where its potential, particularly in integrated pest management (IPM), has yet to be fully explored. Further research is needed to uncover the full range of benefits that cold plasma can offer in enhancing IPM strategies, thereby contributing to more sustainable and effective pest control solutions.
This thesis explores cold plasma's novel, eco-friendly role in pest management by examining its effects on plant defense, and insect growth and development. The thesis also identifies further research opportunities, such as optimizing plasma parameters for seed treatment, irrigation, and integrated pest management, evaluating long-term effects on plant growth and development, for developing cost-effective, scalable plasma generation systems.
The first part of the thesis investigates the effectiveness of cold plasma against insect herbivory, specifically targeting a polyphagous lepidopteran pest, fall armyworm (FAW) on rice. Using an atmospheric plasma jet reactor, rice seeds from two Arkansas cultivars (Diamond and Jewel) were treated with cold plasma, followed by irrigation with plasma-activated water (PAW). The results demonstrated significant negative effects on FAW feeding, growth, and development, offering evidence of cold plasma as a novel component for sustainable pest management.
The second part focuses on optimization and examining the differential effectiveness of various cold plasma seed treatments on plant and insect herbivore traits. Soybean and sorghum sudangrass seeds were treated under different voltages and time exposures using two plasma generation reactors. The study revealed significant positive effects on soybean plant growth and development, alongside negative effects on herbivore growth and development in sorghum - sudangrass. These findings underscore the need for continuous optimization of cold plasma treatments to fully harness their potential while ensuring safe and effective application across different domains.
The results shows that cold plasma is a potential sustainable pest management strategy that positively impact plant growth and defense traits against herbivores. By addressing research gaps in the application of cold plasma technology in agriculture, this thesis aims to pave the way for innovative agricultural practices that contribute to global food security and environmental sustainability.
Citation
Dilip, D. (2025). Exploring the potential of cold plasma as a pest management strategy. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5780
