Forest carbon stock assessment in selected red panda habitats in Ilam and Panchthar districts, Nepal

The red panda is a flagship species and a sensitive biodiversity indicator of ecological health across its range. This forest carbon stock assessment in red panda habitats in the Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung Corridor in Eastern Nepal, part of the Kanchenjunga Landscape, suggests possibilities for forest cover enhancement and sustainable forest management practices. The restoration of forest ecosystems, especially bamboo forests in red panda habitat, will strengthen current conservation efforts for long-term sustainability

Generation and Characterization of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet for Surface Modification of High-Density Polyethylene

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma technology has a variety of applications in different fields including material science and biomedical science. It has been using for surface modification and material processing in material science and used to improve the wettability, adhesion and biocompability of polymeric surfaces without altering the entire bulk properties. This paper outlines the characterization of cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet, which was generated in a high frequency (20 kHz) and high voltage (3.5 kV) power supply, as well as its application in the surface modification of high density polyethylene. Electrical and optical characteristics are used to estimate the electron density of the plasma. The effect of plasma on the surface properties of the material are analyzed by calculating contact angle, surface energy measurements and analyzing scanning electron microscopy images. Adhesive bonding strength and numerous other attributes have increased, however surface treatment is the process of cleaning, etching, functionalizing, and chemically treating substrates to improve roughness and adhesive properties on the surface. Cold plasma can induce a soft roughening on the surface through ion bombardment with polar functional groups resulting in the decrease in water contact angle.</jats:p

Impact of Plasma-Activated Water (PAW) on Seed Germination of Soybean

The present study reports the generation of plasma-activated water (PAW) using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), its physicochemical properties, and its potential impact on the seed germination and seedling growth of soybean. The results revealed significant changes in physical parameters, such as pH, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and chemical parameters, such as calcium, chromium, sodium, manganese, nitrate, nitrites, phosphorus, and sulfur and biological parameter such as E. coli in water after plasma treatment. The concentration of dissolved oxygen, conductivity, nitrate, nitrite, and sulfur was increased with an increase in water treatment time, and the amounts of the other analyzed parameters decreased with the increase in water treatment time. The effects of untreated water and plasma-activated water treated for 20 minutes on soybean germination and growth were studied. The germination rate was found to be higher with plasma-treated water. Shoot lengths, seedlings length, vigor index, and germination rates were increased as compared to those germinated by normal water irrigation. The seedlings irrigated with PAW responded to the abundance of nitrogen by producing intensely green leaves because of their increased chlorophyll a as compared to seedlings irrigated with normal water. However, the content of chlorophyll b and carotenoids was found to decrease in the case of seedlings irrigated with PAW. Based on this report, we conclude that PAW could be used to substantially enhance seed germination and seedling growth

Effect of plasma treatment on the seed germination and seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus)

Abstract The effect on the germination and seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus) seeds were examined employing a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) at atmospheric pressure and room temperature for various treatment time. DBD plasma using argon gas of flow rate 2 l m−1 was employed in this study. Radish seeds were treated with DBD plasma for 1–5 min, respectively. Germination characteristics, seedling growth parameters, the contact angle of the seed coat, water uptake capacity, mass loss, the temperature of the seeds, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents of the seedlings were measured before and after the DBD plasma treatments. Plasma treatment of radish seeds significantly increased germination-related characters, including germination percentage, fresh and dry weight, vigor index, and total carotenoids contents. However, the cumulative production rate was found to be decreased. Results from the experiment indicate an acceleration in the water uptake of the radish seeds and make the seed surface hydrophilic by plasma treatment. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that etching effects on the seed coat occurred after the argon plasma treatments, which affected the wettability of the radish seed. The experimental findings showed that seeds being treated by DBD plasma for 2 and 3 min had a positive effect on the germination and seedling growth of radish.</jats:p

Impact of Plasma-Activated Water (PAW) on Seed Germination of Soybean

The present study reports the generation of plasma-activated water (PAW) using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), its physicochemical properties, and its potential impact on the seed germination and seedling growth of soybean. The results revealed significant changes in physical parameters, such as pH, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and chemical parameters, such as calcium, chromium, sodium, manganese, nitrate, nitrites, phosphorus, and sulfur and biological parameter such as E. coli in water after plasma treatment. The concentration of dissolved oxygen, conductivity, nitrate, nitrite, and sulfur was increased with an increase in water treatment time, and the amounts of the other analyzed parameters decreased with the increase in water treatment time. The effects of untreated water and plasma-activated water treated for 20 minutes on soybean germination and growth were studied. The germination rate was found to be higher with plasma-treated water. Shoot lengths, seedlings length, vigor index, and germination rates were increased as compared to those germinated by normal water irrigation. The seedlings irrigated with PAW responded to the abundance of nitrogen by producing intensely green leaves because of their increased chlorophyll a as compared to seedlings irrigated with normal water. However, the content of chlorophyll b and carotenoids was found to decrease in the case of seedlings irrigated with PAW. Based on this report, we conclude that PAW could be used to substantially enhance seed germination and seedling growth.</jats:p

Impact of non-thermal plasma treatment on the seed germination and seedling development of carrot (Daucus carota sativus L.)

Abstract Seed germination is a complicated physiological process that starts with the seed absorbing water and concludes with the radicle emerging. The kinetics and amount of water uptake by seeds are known to be influenced by both seed surface properties and the surrounding environment. As a result, altering seed surface features are linked to seed medium and is a valuable strategy for controlling seed germination. In the agricultural field, non-thermal plasma surface activation of seeds is currently being investigated as an efficient pre-sowing treatment for modifying seed germination. The impact of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on the germination and seedling growth of carrot seeds at room temperature and atmospheric pressure for varied treatment times was investigated in this study. Seed’s germination properties and growth parameters were examined for both control and NTP-treated seeds. Germination-related parameters such as germination percentage, vigor index, and chlorophyll content were all improved by NTP treatment. However, no significant changes were seen in the carotenoid content. Similarly, the in-vitro radical scavenging activities, total phenol, and total flavonoid contents in the seedlings were altered by NTP treatment. Our results indicate that NTP treatment has a favorable effect on carrots germination and seedling development.</jats:p