Stimulating effects of cold plasma seed priming on germination and seedling growth of cumin plant

Abstract

Improving germination and seedling establishment can effectively increase crop yields. Cold plasma (CP) seed priming can be used as an emerging tool to improve germination efficiency and increase seedling growth. The effects of CP seed priming for different time periods (5 and 10 min) on germination, seedling growth, seedling root morphology, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant defense system and nutrient uptake of Cuminum cyminum L. (cumin) were investigated. Seed priming with 5 and 10 min CP improved the germination efficiency and germination index by increasing the water absorption capacity of the seeds. CP seed priming for 5 min induced growth, biomass production, proline content and antioxidant defense system of cumin seedlings. Seed pretreatment with 5 min CP enhanced nutrient uptake by increasing root growth, volume and area surface and, consequently, improved photosynthetic pigment contents and growth of cumin seedling. However, 10 CP pretreatment induced oxidative stress and damage to membrane lipids by excessively increasing the level of active species (H2O2 and superoxide anion), resulting in reduced seedling growth and biomass compared to control ones. Therefore, seed priming with CP at the appropriate time duration can be a promising tool to increase germination efficiency and improve seedling establishment in aromatic and medicinal plants.