Effect of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Chinese Kale

Abstract

Dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBD plasma) is cold plasma that can be utilized to enhance the seed quality of various plant species. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of DBD plasma on seed germination, vigor, and seedling growth of Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra). Two cultivars of Chinese kale seeds, ‘Aun Ya Ma Nee 50’ and ‘Bang Bua Thong 35’
were treated with DBD plasma for 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 s compared to non-treated seeds as control. The 5 s DBD plasma-treated seeds revealed high germination percentage and germination index as well as low mean time to germination, which was not significantly different from the control. Seeds exposed to DBD plasma for 10 s or longer times resulted in remarkably low seed germination and vigor. However, shoot and root lengths, fresh and dry weights of seedlings derived from DBD plasma-treated seeds for all exposure times showed non-significant difference.