Effects of low-vacuum helium cold plasma treatment on seed germination, plant growth and yield of oilseed rape

Abstract

The effects of low-vacuum helium cold plasma treatment on the seed germination, plant growth and yield of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. cv. Zhongshuang 9) were investigated. Seeds were exposed to low-vacuum helium cold plasma ranging from 0-120 W for 15 s. Cold plasma increased the germination, plant growth and yield of oilseed rape, and the treatment of 100 W provided the best result. The germination rate, germination and vigor indices, and uniformity of emergence were improved by cold plasma treatment. Cold plasma raised the relative conductivity and water uptake, and reduced the apparent contact angle. The characteristics of plant growth, including plant height, stem diameter, dry weights of shoot and root at the seedling, bolting and flowering stages were increased by the cold plasma treatment. Yield components, including pod numbers per plant and 1000 seed weights were increased by the cold plasma treatment. Furthermore, the yield per plant increased by 28.20%. These results suggest that cold plasma treatment has the potential to improve the yield of oilseed rape through the enhancement of permeability, wettability and capacity of water uptake of the seeds, seed germination and plant growth.

Cold plasma treatment improves seed germination and accelerates the establishment of centipedegrass

“…Recently, the application of cold plasma in seed germination and plant growth has been reported in crops and vegetables (Bourke et al., 2018; Ji et al., 2016; Jiang et al., 2014; Li et al., 2018). However, little research has been reported in turfgrass.…”

“…Cold plasma has been successfully applied to improve the permeability, wettability, and water absorbing ability of seeds (Li et al, 2014;Li et al, 2017;Volin et al, 2000 ). It has also been used to improve α-amylase activity and seed reserve utilization efficiency to break dormancy and stimulate seed germination (Ji et al, 2016;Li et al, 2014) and to increase chlorophyll contents and photosynthetic ability to improve plant growth and crop yields (Jiang et al, 2014;Li et al, 2016;Li et al, 2018).…”

The Effects of Plasma on Plant Growth, Development, and Sustainability

“…A field study of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in India, found that cold low pressure plasma seed treatment improved different agronomic attributes, including the harvesting time, 50% flowering time, flower number, fruit number and weight, and okra yield [73]. Recently, Li et al [74] reported increase in pod numbers (13.8%) and grain weight (8.2%) after priming oilseed rape plants with cold low pressure plasma at the reproduction stage. In another report, cold atmospheric pressure plasma seed priming increased the flower number (41.5%) and fresh weight (24%) in Cichorium intybus [51].…”

Facile Enhancement of Electrochemical Performance of Solid-State Supercapacitor via Atmospheric Plasma Treatment on PVA-Based Gel-Polymer Electrolyte

“…Plasma treatment is a simple process in which the surface properties of a material are modified using ionized gas without impacting the bulk properties [ 28 , 29 ]. By selecting appropriate gases, desired characteristics including wettability, adhesion, and biocompatibility can be conferred on the material surface [ 30 , 31 ]. Plasma treatment can be performed in a vacuum or using atmospheric plasma [ 32 ].…”