Plasma-activated water as a potential sustainable biocide for pathogen management in the production of Brassica rapa var. pekinensis

Abstract

Agriculture is a primary source of revenue in Benguet, a major highland vegetable producer. Plant pathogens like Pectobacterium carotovorum threaten yields, and conventional control methods are costly, inaccessible, and environmentally harmful. Plasma-activated water (PAW) offers a potential eco-friendly alternative because it generates reactive species without introducing chemical residues into the environment. This study investigated PAW's biocidal activity against P. carotovorum in Brassica rapa var. pekinensis using an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet (APPJ) system with argon-oxygen gases. Inhibition zones measured 11 mm (50- and 55-minute treatments) and 12 mm (60 minutes), compared to 16 mm for amoxicillin. Although PAW showed slightly smaller inhibition zones than amoxicillin, its performance demonstrates considerable potential as a sustainable and environmentally friendly pathogen control strategy. The results are consistent with previous studies, reinforcing PAW's promise as an effective alternative for agricultural disease management.