Abstract
The present study aims to define the effects of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAPP) exposure on seed germination of an agriculturally important crop, soybean. Seed treatment with lower doses of CAPP generated in ambient air and oxygen significantly increased the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (Krebs cycle enzyme), proving the switching of the germinating seed metabolism from anoxygenic to oxygenic. In these treatments, a positive effect on seed germination was documented (the percentage of germination increased by almost 20% compared to the untreated control), while the seed and seedling vigour was also positively affected. On the other hand, higher exposure times of CAPP generated in a nitrogen atmosphere significantly inhibited succinate dehydrogenase activity, but stimulated lactate and alcohol dehydrogenase activities, suggesting anoxygenic metabolism. It was also found that plasma exposure caused a slight increment in the level of primary DNA damage in ambient air- and oxygen-CAPP treatments, and more significant DNA damage was found in nitrogen-CAPP treatments. Although a higher level of DNA damage was also detected in the negative control (untreated seeds), this might be associated with the age of seeds followed by their lower germination capacity (with the germination percentage reaching only about 60%).
Highlights
Soybean is an important crop that is a part of the diet in many countries
This study reports novel data regarding the effect of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAPP) on the activity of dehydrogenases and lytic enzymes that affect the whole process of seed germination
In the case of the O60 variant, the seed germination increased up to 80% compared to the untreated control (60%)
Summary
Soybean is an important crop that is a part of the diet in many countries. According to the statista.com portal, around 350 million tons was grown worldwide in the years2019/2020 (https://www.statista.com/statistics/263926/soybean-production-in-selectedcountries-since-1980/). Whereas soybean contains large amounts of B vitamins, essential elements, proteins and lipids, soy consumption is a unique source of nutrients for human and animals. This unique nutritional composition makes it a superfood that is grown worldwide. Due to the reduced germination of soybean seeds, large areas of arable land are used for its cultivation For this reason, it is necessary to look for new, ecologically and economically advantageous solutions that would ensure better germination of seeds of economically important crops and a higher yield on a smaller area. An effective and promising method seems to be the application of non-thermal plasma in agricultural practice [1,2,3].
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