Abstract
Plasma-activated water (PAW) has emerged as a promising approach to improve the sustainability of agricultural irrigation by generating reactive nitrogen and oxygen species directly in water. This study evaluated a non-thermal plasma system developed for irrigation applications, with emphasis on nitrate generation and field validation. A minimum viable product (MVP) for PAW production was designed, built, and tested initially under laboratory conditions and subsequently installed at the EPAGRI Experimental Station in Itajaí, southern Brazil. Rainwater and fish-farming water were exposed to plasma for 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min, and nitrate formation was monitored as an indicator of the fertilization potential of the activated water. Laboratory irrigation trials were also conducted with tomato, strawberry, and vegetable crops. The system successfully produced nitrate-enriched water, with concentrations exceeding 100 mg L−1 after 120 min of plasma treatment. The laboratory cultivation tests showed promising plant responses, supporting further agronomic validation. Field implementation confirmed the operational feasibility of the equipment and highlighted the potential of PAW as a practical alternative or complement to conventional nitrogen fertilization. By producing reactive nitrogen species from water using non-thermal plasma, the technology may contribute to reducing dependence on fossil-derived fertilizers and to advancing lower-carbon agricultural practices. Further field trials are required to quantify crop productivity, nutrient-use efficiency, energy demand, and the optimal operating conditions for different crops and water sources.
Biography
Anelise Leal Vieira Cubas is a professor and researcher at Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina (UNISUL), Brazil. She holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry and has a background in Chemical and Environmental Engineering. Her research focuses on non-thermal plasma, plasma-activated water, frugal innovation, circular economy, and sustainable technologies for agriculture and food systems. She coordinates applied research projects aimed at translating scientific advances into practical solutions for irrigation, sanitization, resource efficiency, and agricultural decarbonization, with emphasis on partnerships with companies, farmers, and public research institutions.
