Promoting lentil germination and stem growth by plasma activated tap water, demineralized water and liquid fertilizer

Abstract

Tap water, demineralized water and liquid fertilizer have been activated using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) to investigate their benefits for the germination rate and stem elongation rate of lentils from Puy-en-Velay (France). By plasma-activating tap water, we have obtained germination rates as high as 80% (instead of 30% with tap water). Also, higher stem elongation rates and final stem lengths were obtained using activated tap water compared with commercial fertilizer. We show that these rates of germination and stem growth strongly depend on the combination of two radicals generated in the liquids by the plasma: hydrogen peroxide and nitrate. This synergy appears to be a condition for releasing seed dormancy through the endogenous production of NO radicals

Plasma‐activated water to improve the stress tolerance of barley

“…The fact that PAW#2—which contains more H 2 O 2 , and less NO 2 − and NO 3 − than PAW#1—has increased the germination rate and shoot length already after short‐term treatment, whereas PAW#1 only after the long‐term one, suggests that H 2 O 2 could be more important in the growth process under stress conditions. However, germination is not affected by the PAW under optimal conditions in the case of barley, in contrast to lentil, where the synergetic effect of NO 3 − and H 2 O 2 has been emphasized . Although in the present study, the shoot and root length and the fresh weight of the barley seedling at three‐leaf stage is also not affected by the PAW, in Arabidopsis , the leaf number and area and rosette diameter have been increased by it .…”

“…In the last few years, studies have been conducted on selected species to test the effect of PAW on seed germination and plant growth …”

“…Zhang et al and Judée et al have investigated the effect of different liquids activated by an atmospheric pressure He plasma jet on germination and growth of lentils. It has been shown that plasma‐activated tap water boosts both the early and late stages of growth, providing a growth rate similar to the activated liquid fertilizer.…”

Effects of plasma activated water on wheat: Germination, growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, soluble protein content, and antioxidant enzymes activity

“…The concentrations of the RONS generated by the TS discharge are relatively high compared to other plasma discharges. In comparison, Zhang et al used He plasma jet and generated ∼ 0.16 mM of H 2 O 2 in the PAW, while Park et al used transferred arc discharge and generated concentrations of H 2 O 2 ∼ 0.08 mM, NO 2 ‾ ∼ 0.26 mM and NO 3 ‾ ∼ 0.9 mM.…”

“…The indirect plasma treatment/activation of seeds and plants by the CP, that is, the effect of plasma activated gas or plasma activated water (PAW) is far less studied than the direct plasma effect even though it can also enhance seed germination and plant growth. The PAW can be generated by operating electric discharges directly in water but more often in gas in a contact with water, usually above the water surface, for example, gliding arc, glow discharge, dielectric barrier discharge, or plasma jets . Besides pure water also other liquid media, such as drainage water from pots, nutrient solution, or fertilizer have been activated and used.…”