Evaluating the impact of Cold plasma on Seedling Growth properties, seed germination, and soybean antioxidant enzyme activity.

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) has garnered significant attention in recent years for its potential applications in biomedical, environmental, and agricultural fields. Cold plasma treatment exhibits a variety of effects in agricultural applications, including impacts on seed germination and seedling growth; however, further research is required. Soybean serves as a fundamental source of nutrients for both animals and humans. Soybean seeds possess impermeable and thick testae, which results in prolonged germination times and suboptimal germination rates. The soybeans exhibit low uniformity. As a result, poor crop establishment and yield reduction are inevitable outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Iranian soybean cultivars, such as Sari, Saba, Arian, Katoul, and Williams, on seedling growth properties, seed germination, and antioxidant enzyme activity, using argon at time intervals of 30, 60, 180, 300, and 420 s. Cold plasma treatment significantly enhanced germination potential from 1.18 to 66.97%, germination index from 0.50 to 60.09%, germination rate from 1.78 to 32.17%, seedling length from 2.70 cm to 78.13 cm, root length from 2.87 cm to 56.13 cm, and seedling dry weight from 1.80 g to 36.63 g. Additionally, CAT activity increased from 0.88- to 4.40-fold, SOD activity from 0.86- to 5.89-fold, and APX activities from 0.40- to 4.01-fold compared to the control treatment. The findings indicated that the samples exhibited optimal results at treatment durations of 60 and 180 s. The influence of plasma on the antioxidant responses of seedlings, seed germination, and growth characteristics was contingent upon the duration of treatment. Cold plasma, when applied for an appropriate duration, may enhance soybean seedling growth characteristics and seed germination.
Competing Interests: Declarations Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. Consent for participate Not applicable. Ethics approval and consent for participant All local, national or international guidelines and legislation, including Act of Plant Varieties Registration, Control and Plant Material of Islamic Republic of Iran were adhered to in registration of studied cultivars and their seeds production and certification to the production of this study.The seeds of soybean varieties used in this research were obtained free of charge from the Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute (SPCRI) in Iran.The research was conducted by use of 5 soybean improved common commercial cultivars entitled in Iran Registered Plant Varieties National List seeds which are certified by Iranian national plant varieties registration and seed certification focal point, Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute (SPCRI) based on the act of plant varieties registration, control and certification of seed and plant material Islamic Republic of Iran.The studied soybean seeds were not collected, they were obtained from the research institute.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)