Sensor-driven standardization of plasma-activated water in resource-efficient horticulture

Sustainable water management in controlled environment horticulture is crucial for maintaining food security while minimizing environmental footprints. In resource-efficient production systems such as greenhouses and hydroponics, improving water productivity and irrigation-water quality is a persistent challenge. Plasma-activated water (PAW) has emerged as a promising tool because it can deliver reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), which enhance nutrient-use efficiency, increase crop resilience, and support optimized fertigation strategies. Despite these potential gains, the incomplete standardization of PAW generation and insufficient sensor-based monitoring impede its broader implementation. Recent studies have shown benefits for germination, growth, and stress tolerance, yet results remain inconsistent—often due to variations in plasma device operation, source-water chemistry, and post-treatment handling, as well as interactions within complex recirculating food production systems. Ongoing debates focus on how best to reliably translate PAW’s promise into yield stability, better crop-water relations, and reduced water and nutrient discharge. This Research Topic aims to advance water-smart food production by establishing sensor-guided frameworks for the standardization of PAW in horticultural water management. By developing robust indices of PAW dose and quality, implementing real-time water monitoring, and rigorously assessing impacts on irrigation quality, fertigation efficiency, and sustainability outcomes, we seek to clarify the mechanisms linking PAW chemistry and dynamic system interactions to reproducible agronomic performance. We particularly encourage work that addresses the integration of PAW into recirculating irrigation loops, examines its effects on crop growth and nutrient uptake, and benchmarks its potential to reduce mineral nitrogen input and waste. This Topic invites interdisciplinary research that prioritizes sustainable water management, food-production outcomes, and risk management in resource-efficient horticulture. The scope of this Research Topic is defined by its focus on the use of PAW as a means to achieve sustainable water management, improved productivity, and enhanced water quality in commercial horticulture and controlled environment food systems. Plasma applications outside of water management in agriculture and food production will not be considered. To gather further insights, we welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: PAW chemistry and stability: formation and persistence of RONS, decay through storage/distribution, and effects of water matrix and environmental conditions Sensor-based measurement and standardization: inline and microfluidic monitoring, calibration, and development of actionable PAW quality indices relevant to food production Crop responses and plant physiology: impact on germination, root development, nutrient-use efficiency, yield stability, and management of oxidative stress System-level implementation: integration of PAW into drip irrigation, fertigation regimes, recirculating hydroponics, and decision-support frameworks for water-smart horticulture Environmental performance and safety: long-term impacts on water quality, microbial communities, substrates/soils, nitrate accumulation, and system recirculation safety Comparative efficacy and resource efficiency: benchmarking PAW against conventional fertilization and water-treatment strategies, with specific attention to input reduction and water-saving potential Articles may include original research, methods, reviews, short communications, perspectives, and case studies that contribute to the foundation and adoption of standardized, water-smart fertigation with PAW in sustainable horticultural production. Topic editors: Georges Dubourg Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79102/sensor-driven-standardization-of-plasma-activated-water-in-resource-efficient-horticulture