Shaping the future of sustainable agriculture: an interdisciplinary review of plasma technology for enhanced nutrient use efficiency.

Abstract

Securing a sustainable global food supply for the future necessitates a paradigm shift towards technologies that amplify biological potential while minimizing environmental harm, a goal that can be achieved through the controlled generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) by non‑thermal plasma. This interdisciplinary review synthesizes current knowledge on plasma‑based approaches, a rapidly advancing interdisciplinary frontier converging physics, chemistry, and biology, to fundamentally enhance plant nutrient acquisition and performance. We elucidate how reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), generated by non-thermal plasma (NTP) or delivered via plasma-activated water (PAW), act as potent biochemical signals and physical agents. These trigger a cascade of responses from seed coat etching and hormonal modulation to profound root system remodeling that collectively boost the plant's innate nutrient foraging capacity. We critically evaluate evidence for improved uptake of essential macro- and micronutrients linked to increased biomass and yield across diverse species. Practical applications in seed priming, soil amendment, and foliar sprays are explored as pathways to reduce dependency on conventional fertilizers. However, to transition this promise into reality, we discuss the critical hurdles of scalability, protocol standardization, and regulatory frameworks. We conclude that plasma technology represents more than an incremental improvement; it is a transformative tool that can inform choices for sustainable agricultural intensification. By unlocking plant physiological potential, it offers a tangible pathway to align agricultural productivity with the urgent goals of planetary health, making it a pivotal area of research for biological sciences.