The Response of Rape Seedlings to Cold Plasma Treatment of Seeds

This study investigated the effect of cold plasma treatment of rape seeds (Brassica napus L. var. napus) on germination, initial growth and basic physiological characteristics of first leaf (net photosynthesis-PN, and total chlorophyll content). The effects of different duration (0 min, 3 min, 5 min, and 10 min) of cold plasma treatment of rape seeds were studied. Although no significant influence of cold plasma treatment on seed germination was detected, initial growth of rape seedlings was affected. The cold plasma treatment of 5 min improved initial growth, but, on the other hand, negative impact of the 3 min cold plasma treatment on initial growth was found. Net photosynthesis and total chlorophyll content of the first leaf of rape seedlings were affected by cold plasma treatment as well. The effect varied according to the duration of cold plasma treatment and also according to the first leaf ontogeny. Higher PN values were reached by 20 days old plants of 3 min variant. At the age of 27 days significantly higher net photosynthesis values were reached by the plants of 3 min and 10 min treated variants. On the other hand, in senescent leaves, at the age of 34 days, lower PN values were detected in 10 min variant. Higher total chlorophyll content was measured in first leaf of 21 days old plants of 3 min as well as 10 min variant, but no significant changes were detected in older plants.