Effect of Corona Plasma on the Morphology and Physiology of Soil Bacteria

A sizable part of agricultural crops is spoiled as a result of bacterial wilt diseases. Around one third of the crop is lost due to the destructive activity of these bacteria. Chemicals are a main method of sterilization of the soil. Chemicals contaminate the soil, impair its fertility, and cause damage to water and air quality. Plasma treatment has the ability to disinfect bacteria. Plasma consists of charged particles, namely: ions, electrons and protons and also is featured by the UV radiation and heat. Corona plasma is an unstable discharge produced from air under atmospheric pressure resulting in the ionization of gases from the air. As a part of the plasma activity, charged particles are created, radicals, electromagnetic radiation and UV radiation, all these together cause the bactericidal effect of the plasma. To date, no comprehensive studies have been conducted on the effect of corona plasma on soil bacteria. The current study will examine the effect of corona plasma on soil bacteria in order to find an environmentally friendly treatment method. This study will examine the relative composition of bacteria in the soil, and the morphological and physiological properties of bacteria exposed to the corona plasma discharge.