Development of plasma system for the seeds treatment to improve germination and growth

Abstract

Pre-sowing treatment of seeds to improve germination, growth and yield of crops has been in use in agriculture traditionally by physical and chemical treatments. In recent times, treatment of seeds with low magnetic fields has been shown to improve growth and yield of crop plants. Physical treatment of seeds with low magnetic field of 100 – 200 mT strength improves germination and early seedling growth of soybean and maize seeds. There have been several studies on the impact of plasma on the seeds since plasma treatment improves germination of seeds and subsequent growth of the seedlings. This has been observed in the seeds of wheat, soybean, clover, rye, barley, pea and lapin. After plasma treatment shoot weight increased by 30% in wheat under experimental conditions. The mechanism of plasma induced bio-stimulation of germination and growth of seeds is yet to be analyzed in detail. There are different methods to increase the germination and growth of seeds by plasma treatment like DC Glow discharge plasma, RF Glow discharge plasma, Dielectric Barrier Discharge plasma (DBD) and plasma activated water (PAW) .We at center of excellence for plasma research have developed a plasma glow discharge system for the Germination and Growth of seeds with glow discharge plasma treatment.