Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an emerging precision technology in agriculture andenvironmental biotechnology, capable of generating complex mixtures of reactive oxygenand nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) at near-ambient temperatures. These chemically activeplasmas have demonstrated effectiveness in seed treatment, pathogen suppression, and lig-nocellulosic biomass modification.However, the targeted application of CAP to the living woody root crowns of establishedperennial invasive plants has not been explored.Here we introduce a conceptual Pulsed Micro-Plasma Root Interface (PMRI) — a low-cost handheld CAP wand designed to deliver controlled bursts of ROS/RNS directly toexposed root crowns of brambles (Rubus spp.) following mechanical cutting. The plasmaplume produces a localized flux of oxidative species including hydroxyl radicals, ozone, hy-drogen peroxide, and nitrogen oxides, which interact with lignified vascular tissues at thecrown surface. By selectively fragmenting lignin β-O-4 aryl ether linkages within these tis-sues, PMRI is hypothesized to induce structural weakening, carbohydrate leakage, oxidativemembrane damage, and subsequent microbial colonization, ultimately leading to progressivecrown necrosis.Unlike thermal or chemical weed control methods, the proposed approach operates at lowtemperatures and leaves no persistent chemical residues, minimizing risks of soil disturbance,collateral vegetation damage, or contamination of terrace-edge environments. The methodis particularly suited to wet-season conditions, where elevated humidity enhances hydroxylradical formation and facilitates penetration of reactive species into exposed crown tissues.PMRI integrates with simple mechanical cutting and crown marking protocols to createan erosion-safe control strategy for invasive Rubus populations on steep slopes, terraces,and riparian margins where conventional digging or herbicide application is problematic.We describe the conceptual framework of the approach, a prototype device build (< 150USD), operational treatment protocols, and a proposed small-plot randomized field trialevaluating regrowth suppression, crown viability, lignin structural modification, and soil mi-crobial responses. Potential pathways for scaling the technology through semi-autonomousor drone-assisted treatment systems are also discussed.To our knowledge, this represents the first proposed application of CAP for targetedweakening and control of established woody perennial invasives via treatment of exposedroot crowns.
Riaan de Beer (Wed,) studied this question.