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Collaboration Opportunity for PRIMA 2026 Project on Non-Thermal Plasma Seed Treatment
Université Mustapha Stambouli de Mascara (UMS), located in north-western Algeria, is a large public research university founded in 1986, originally as a National Institute of Higher Education specializing in agronomy, and now comprising 7 faculties across 3 university poles. With deep-rooted expertise in electrical systems, agricultural sciences, biological sciences, and natural resource management and a fully aligned with the PRIMA thematic priorities. UMS brings strong institutional capacity in agronomy, plasma physics, plant biology, and Mediterranean farming systems to this consortium, along with established experience in transnational research cooperation as an Algerian Mediterranean Partner Country institution.

TOPICS

Topic 1.2.1-2026 (IA) Next Generation of Sustainable and Alternative Animal Feeds for Circular and Resilient Mediterranean Farming Systems, Topic 2.2.1-2026 (RIA) Novel remote and non-invasive ICT monitoring and control systems against disease and pest infestation

KEYWORDS

Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP), Plasma Agriculture, Seed-borne Pathogen Control, Microbial Decontamination, Seed Priming, Sustainable Agriculture, Mediterranean Farming Systems, Sustainable Farming Systems.

DESCRIPTION

Mediterranean cereal production is increasingly threatened by seed-borne and soil-borne pathogens, fungal diseases, and microbial contamination, exacerbated by climate variability and growing resistance to conventional chemical treatments. This project proposes a non-invasive, chemical-free approach based on Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) technology for integrated disease management, germination enhancement, and crop growth promotion in Mediterranean cereal systems. NTP operates simultaneously on three biological axes: (i) effective inactivation of seed-borne pathogens, fungal spores, and bacterial contaminants without chemical residues; (ii) acceleration of germination rates and improvement of germination uniformity through plasma-generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) that activate dormancy-breaking enzymatic pathways; and (iii) enhancement of early root development, shoot biomass, and overall plant vigor, producing stronger and more disease-resilient crop stands. A multidisciplinary Mediterranean consortium, combining expertise in plasma physics, plant pathology, seed physiology, agronomy, and precision agriculture , also will develop and validate scalable NTP-based pre-sowing protocols integrated with digital field monitoring and decision-support tools for real-time disease surveillance. Validation will be conducted across multiple Mediterranean countries and agro-climatic zones. This approach directly contributes to PRIMA’s objectives of sustainable, resilient, and resource-efficient Mediterranean farming systems, reducing dependence on synthetic agrochemicals while improving cereal crop productivity and food security across the region.

REMARKS

ORGANIZATION

University of Mustapha Stambouli -MASCARA

TYPE OF ORGANIZATION

Secondary or Higher Education Establishment

COUNTRY

Algeria

contact person

Project Management expertise, and Project Coordinator

+213542921389

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