These findings demonstrate that plasma-activated water reprograms the root–rhizosphere–nitrogen acquisition continuum to maximize nitrogen use efficiency, providing a mechanistic framework for improving nitrogen acquisition under controlled polyhouse conditions; field validation is required before broad agronomic application.
Abstract
Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) while sustaining crop productivity is a major challenge for sustainable maize production. Plasma-activated water (PAW), enriched with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, has emerged as a promising biostimulant for enhancing nutrient acquisition and plant performance.