Analysis of Plasma Effects on Seed Germination and Plant Growth

Plasma technology has been widely used for decontamination, differentiation, and disease treatment. Recently, studies show that plasma has effects on increasing seed germination and plant growth. In spite of increasing number of studies about plasma effects, the interaction between plasma and plants has been rarely informed. In this study, we have analyzed the effects of nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma on seed germination and growth of coriander (Coriandum sativum), a medicinal plant. We used to Ar, air, and N2 plasma on seed as feeding gases. Plasma was discharged at 0.62 kV, 200 mA, 9.2 W. Seed germination was increased over time when treated with N2 based DBD plasma for exposure times of 30 seconds and 1 minute, everyday. After 7 days, about 80~100% of seeds were germinated in the treatment with N2 based DBD plasma, compared to control (about 40%, only gas treated seeds). In order to elucidate the mechanism of increased germination, we have analyzed characteristics of changes in plant hormones and seed surface structure by SEM.