Molecular Hydrogen: Is This a Viable New Treatment for Plants in the UK?

Abstract

Despite being trialed in other regions of the world, the use of molecular hydrogen (H2) for enhanced plant growth and the postharvest storage of crops has yet to be widely accepted in the UK. The evidence that the treatment of plants and plant products with H2 alleviates plant stress and slows crop senescence continues to grow. Many of these effects appear to be mediated by the alteration of the antioxidant capacity of plant cells. Some effects seem to involve heme oxygenase, whilst the reduction in the prosthetic group Fe3+ is also suggested as a mechanism. Although it is difficult to use as a gaseous treatment in a field setting, the use of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has the potential to be of significant benefit to agricultural practices. However, the use of H2 in agriculture will only be adopted if the benefits outweigh the production and application costs. HRW is safe and relatively easy to use. If H2 gas or HRW are utilized in other countries for agricultural purposes, it is tempting to suggest that they could also be widely used in the UK in the future, particularly for postharvest storage, thus reducing food waste.

Study details

Article type

Review

Dose comparison

The review discusses the effects of different concentrations of HRW (e.g., 1%, 10%, 50%, 100% corresponding to 0.0022 mM, 0.022 mM, 0.11 mM, 0.22 mM H2) on plant stress alleviation and postharvest outcomes, noting that lower concentrations can sometimes be more effective than higher ones.

Dose-dependent effect

Yes

Outcome

Positive

Findings

Molecular hydrogen (H2), especially as hydrogen-rich water (HRW), shows promise in alleviating plant stress, enhancing postharvest storage, and improving antioxidant capacity in plants. However, large-scale adoption in UK agriculture requires further trials and cost-benefit analysis. The most promising application is in postharvest treatment to reduce food waste.