Assessment of the Effects of Nitrogen Plasma and Plasma-Generated Nitric Oxide on Early Development of Coriandum sativum.

Potentiality of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma in activating plant development has been evaluated in this study. Seed germination rate of Coriander sativum, a herbaceous plant with slow germination rate, has been significantly increased over time compared to control after micro DBD (dielectric barrier discharge) plasma treatment with N2 feeding gas. No more increase in seed germination has been observed when the transferred energy dose was over 0.65 J per seed during plasma generation, regardless of feeding gases. Germination and seedling growth have been also elevated by plasma-generated nitric oxide (PGNO) produced from microwave plasma torch in dose dependent manner and a threshold concentration of nitric oxide (NO) activating coriander development has been observed. Our data indicate that plasma energy transferred to seeds or PGNO can activate developmental processes in plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]