Effects of Atmospheric Pressure Air Plasma Pretreatment on the Seed Germination and Early Growth of Andrographis paniculata

• Published in: Plasma science & technology Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 260 - 266
• Main Author: 童家赟 何瑞 张晓丽 詹若挺 陈蔚文 杨思泽
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2014
• Subjects: Acceleration; Air plasma; Biochemistry; Catalase; Coating effects; Emergence; Germination; Permeability; Seeds; 大气压力; 早期生长; 治疗剂量; 种子萌发; 空气等离子体; 穿心莲; 等离子预处理; 过氧化氢酶
• ISSN: 1009-0630
• DOI: 10.1088/1009-0630/16/3/16

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate whether air plasma can change the seed germination characteristics, seedling emergence, as well as biochemical reactivity, in Andrographis paniculata （A. paniculata） seedlings by modifying the seed coat and finding a beneficial treatment dose. Eight treatment doses and one control were used to conduct electrical conductivity determination, a germination test, a seedling emergence test and a biochemical assay. The results showed that after being treated with air plasma excited at 5950 V for 10 s, the perme- ability of the seeds was improved significantly, resulting in the acceleration of seed germination and seedling emergence. In the meantime, the catalase activity and catalase isoenzyme expression were also improved, while the malondialdehyde content in the seedlings was decreased （which means greater counteraction with environmental stress）. After being treated with 4250 V for 10 s and 5950 V for 20 s, the seed germination was enhanced, but without an obvious change in seedUng emergence. However, after treatment with 3400 V for 20 s and 5100 V for 10 s, the permeability of the seeds was decreased, resulting in a delay in seedling emergence. These results indicate that air plasma can change the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Andrographis paniculata seeds by modifying the seed coat, combined with the effects of the active plasma species, and that different treating doses have different effects.