PHYSICS FOR FOOD delivers promising results and presents basic research at the IWOPA science conference
Climate change and increasing demands for sustainability and ecology are posing major challenges for agriculture. In order to feed the growing world population in an environmentally friendly way, new methods for agriculture are being researched globally. Physical methods such as plasma technologies could help make plants more resistant to drought, flooding and pests and reduce the use of chemical pesticides. Another field of application is the removal of pollutants in food production.
The PHYSICS FOR FOOD project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is delivering promising initial results in this area. Scientists involved in the project will present excerpts from their research at the third International Workshop on Plasma Agriculture (IWOPA), which starts today as an online conference with around 70 international participants under the auspices of the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP). Following events in the USA and Japan, where the topic has been most actively pursued to date, a German scientific institution is organising the exchange of experiences for the first time. In Europe, too, people are now convinced of the potential and are intensifying their efforts in this still young discipline.
Plasma protects seeds
While basic research into plasma technologies in agriculture is advancing worldwide, the PHYSICS FOR FOOD project is already working on specific applications. For example, trials have successfully sterilised barley and wheat seeds using plasma-treated air, which could replace chemical dressing in the future. According to estimates, around two million litres of chemical seed dressing are used in Germany alone every year. Physical processes such as plasma could offer an ecological and economical alternative to secure crop yields. The scientific institutions involved in the project are working closely with partners from agriculture and seed production to deliver practical results.
Plasma strengthens plants against the effects of climate change
Another objective of the PHYSICS FOR FOOD project is to protect plants from the effects of climate change so that they can better withstand droughts and floods as well as pests and fungal infestation. The experiments conducted so far show promising results. Direct treatment with cold plasma significantly increased the germination rate of barley in trials. A positive effect was also observed in wheat and rapeseed. The use of plasma-treated water also helps to strengthen plants. In greenhouse experiments, this had a positive effect on dry matter formation in the plant species barley, rapeseed and lupine investigated in the project. This affected the root system and, in most cases, also the shoots of the young plants.
Further physical technologies being tested
Plasma technologies are also to be used in the project to purify wastewater from food production and agriculture of pollutants such as agrochemicals. In addition to plasma, PHYSICS FOR FOOD is also researching other physical methods such as UV-C light and pulsed electric fields. Initial tests with UV-C technology in the food industry are already underway. The systems are designed to reduce the bacterial load in production in order to extend the shelf life of food. The use of pulsed electric fields (PEF) makes it possible to extend the shelf life of temperature-sensitive natural substances in food, improve taste and appearance, and obtain high-quality ingredients in larger quantities ( ). This has already been proven with grain-based beverages such as beer and plant-based drinks and is now being tested on lupins.
About PHYSICS FOR FOOD
The Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) and Ceravis AG launched the project 'PHYSICS FOR FOOD – A REGION THINKS AHEAD!' in 2018. Together with partners, the alliance is developing new physical technologies for agriculture and food processing. Atmospheric pressure plasma, pulsed electric fields and UV light are used. The goals are to reduce the use of chemicals in the protection of seeds and crops and to strengthen plants against the effects of climate change. PHYSICS FOR FOOD is also working on new processes for optimising agricultural raw materials and reducing pollutants in food production. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the 'WIR! – Change through Innovation in the Region' initiative, the project ensures technology transfer and secures jobs in the coastal hinterland of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (funding code 03WIR2803). Further information: https://physicsforfood.org/
