Improvement of wheat seed vitality by dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment

Abstract

Influences of discharge voltage on wheat seed vitality were investigated in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma system at atmospheric pressure and temperature. Six different treatments were designed, and their discharge voltages were 0.0, 9.0, 11.0, 13.0, 15.0, and 17.0 kV, respectively. Fifty seeds were exposed to the DBD plasma atmosphere with an air flow rate of 1.5 L min for 4 min in each treatment, and then the DBD plasma-treated seeds were prepared for germination in several Petri dishes. Each treatment was repeated three times. Germination indexes, growth indexes, surface topography, water uptake, permeability, and α-amylase activity were measured. DBD plasma treatment at appropriate energy levels had positive effects on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. The germination potential, germination index, and vigor index significantly increased by 31.4%, 13.9%, and 54.6% after DBD treatment at 11.0 kV, respectively, in comparison to the control. Shoot length, root length, dry weight, and fresh weight also significantly increased after the DBD plasma treatment. The seed coat was softened and cracks were observed, systematization of the protein was strengthened, and amount of free starch grain increased after the DBD plasma treatment. Water uptake, relative electroconductivity, soluble protein, and α-amylase activity of the wheat seed were also significantly improved after the DBD plasma treatment. Roles of active species and ultraviolet radiation generated in the DBD plasma process in wheat seed germination and seedling growth are proposed. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:120-131, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of Nonthermal Plasma on Wheat Grains and Products

“…e NTP treatment caused cracks occurring on wheat grain surface, which led to the improvement of water uptake, subsequently benefiting its germination [43]. After NTP treatment, the mean water uptake was 41% in the control sample and 57% in the exposed one [44]. Similar etching effect, resulting in the improvement of its water absorption capacity, was reported by Li et al [45].…”

“…Maximum increase of plant length was achieved by 11% for 6 or 9 min exposures. e significant increase of shoot length, root length, dry weight, and fresh weight of wheat grains was described also in [44].…”

“…In the work of Guo et al [44], the germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of wheat grain significantly increased after NTP treatment by 31%, 14%, and 55% over control, respectively. e mean germination rate increased from 88 % in the control sample to 95% in the NTPtreated sample.…”

“…No alternations in fat, protein, ash, and moisture content of wheat after NTP treatment were found by Rahman et al [42] and Shahrzad et al [41]. Guo et al [44] reported that the active species from NTP penetrated into the caryopses and activated their physiological reactions, resulting in enhancement of soluble protein content by 15% and α-amylase activity by 51%.…”

Cold plasma treatment for cotton seed germination improvement

“…Several studies have demonstrated a favourable effect of cold plasma treatment on seed germination and plant yields of a range of important crops, including wheat 11,24 , rice 22 , barley 25 , oats 26 , soybean 27 , spinach 28 , oil seed rape 29 , green onion 30 , chick peas 31 and cucumber 32 . For example, a study by Jiang, et al .…”