Revolutionizing Seed Germination with Cold PlasmaTechnology
Introduction
Getting seeds to germinate quickly and effectively is crucial for farmers. An exciting new method to improve germination is cold plasma technology.
What is Cold Plasma Technology?
Cold plasma is an ionized gas that, when applied to seeds, can significantly enhance their germination properties. Traditional seed priming methods, like soaking in water, take a long time. Cold plasma, however, works much faster.
How Does it Work?
We used a device called a dielectric barrier device (DBD) to create cold plasma with helium and nitrogen gases. Treating lentil seeds for just 20 minutes reduced their germination time by 19.4%, from 1420 minutes to 1145 minutes. This means seeds sprout faster and grow more vigorously.
Optimizing the Process
We found that a “plasma sequence”—multiple shorter treatments with stirring in between—further improved germination, increasing the gain in vigor by 28.5%.
The Benefits
1. Faster Germination: Seeds sprout quicker, improving efficiency.
2. Better Water Uptake: Seeds absorb water more effectively.
3. Improved Seed Coating: Plasma makes the seed coating more hydrophilic, aiding
water absorption.
Conclusion
Cold plasma technology is a game-changer for agriculture, offering a fast, efficient, and chemical-free way to improve seed germination. This innovative method can help farmers achieve better crop yields and more efficient farming practices.
T Dufour∗ and Q Gutierrez
LPP, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Ecole Polytech., University Paris-Sud, Observatoire de Paris,
Université Paris-Saclay, PSL Research University, 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Paris, France
