Plasma Seeds: Cold Plasma Accelerates Phaseolus Vulgaris Seed Imbibition, Germination, and Speed of Seedling Growth
Abstract
Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CP) can play an important role in agriculture, medicine, chemistry, and biophysical applications. Generated by cold atmospheric pressure He-plasma jet (CPJ), reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), UV-Vis photons, and highfrequency strong electromagnetic fields with amplitudes of a few kV can interact with Phaseolus vulgaris seeds and plants. Here we show that CPJ accelerates seed imbibition, germination, and radicle growing rates. CPJ induces roughness, corrugation, and poration in Phaseolus vulgaris seed coats. It produces hydrophilization of seed coats and improves the wetting properties of seed surfaces. Magnetic resonance imaging studies show the acceleration of water uptake in P. vulgaris seeds so treated. Understanding the mechanisms of cold plasma interactions with seeds and plants should promote plasma-based technology for plant development control, increased yields and growth rates, and plant protection from pathogens. Our work offers new insight into mechanisms that trigger water transport and absorbance, seed germination, and activation of metabolism by cold plasmas.