Inactivation of Wilt Germs (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis lycopersici) using Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma in Hydroponic Cultivation System
This study was conducted to investigated the possibility of inactivating wilt germs (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis lycopersici) using Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma in a hydroponic system. Recirculating hydroponic cultivation system for inactivation was consisted of planting port, LED lamp, water tank, and circulating pump for hydroponic and DBD plasma reactor. Two experiments were conducted: batch and intermittent continuous process. The effect of plasma treatment on Total Residual Oxidants (TRO) concentration change, Fusarium inactivation and growth of lettuce were investigated. In the batch experiment, most of the Fusarium was inactivated at a TRO concentration of 0.15 mg/L or more at four-day intervals. There was no change in lettuce growth after two times of plasma treatment for one week. The intermittent continuous experiment consisted of 30-minute, 60-minute, and 90-minute plasma treatment in 2 day intervals and 30-minute treatment a one-day; most of the Fusarium was inactivated only by treatment for 30-minute every two days. However, if inactivation under 101 CFU/mL is required, it will be necessary to treat for 60 minutes in 2 day intervals. The plasma treatment caused no damage to the lettuce, except the 30 min plasma treatment ay the one-day interval. It was considered that the residual TRO concentration was higher than that of the other treatments.