Cultivation of Cress Involving Water Treated Under Different Atmospheres with Low-Temperature, Low-Pressure Glow Plasma of Low Frequency

Abstract

Watering cress with tap water treated for 30 min with low-temperature, low-pressure glow plasma of low frequency (LPGP) in the air (LPGPA), saturated with either nitrogen (LPGPN), CO2 (LPGPC) or methane (LPGPM), promoted the yield of crops. Their efficiency increased in the order LPGPA < LPGPN < LPGPM < LPGPC. The kind of water prior and after the treatment specifically influenced the fat and protein content in the watered cress and had no effect on the carbohydrate content. Watering cress with water saturated with N2 and CO2 slightly increased the total chlorophyll content, whereas watering with water saturated with CH4 significantly decreased it. Watering with plasma-treated water always resulted in an increase in the total chlorophyll content and subtly influenced the content of carotenoids and ascorbic acid. Watering cress with water saturated with particular gases influenced the bioaccumulation of cations and anions.