Effect of plasma treatment on the seed germination and seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus)

The effect on the germination and seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus) seeds were examined employing a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) at atmospheric pressure and room temperature for various treatment time. DBD plasma using argon gas of flow rate 2 l m−1 was employed in this study. Radish seeds were treated with DBD plasma for 1–5 min, respectively. Germination characteristics, seedling growth parameters, the contact angle of the seed coat, water uptake capacity, mass loss, the temperature of the seeds, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents of the seedlings were measured before and after the DBD plasma treatments. Plasma treatment of radish seeds significantly increased germination-related characters, including germination percentage, fresh and dry weight, vigor index, and total carotenoids contents. However, the cumulative production rate was found to be decreased. Results from the experiment indicate an acceleration in the water uptake of the radish seeds and make the seed surface hydrophilic by plasma treatment. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that etching effects on the seed coat occurred after the argon plasma treatments, which affected the wettability of the radish seed. The experimental findings showed that seeds being treated by DBD plasma for 2 and 3 min had a positive effect on the germination and seedling growth of radish.     

Decontamination of infected plant seeds utilizing atmospheric gliding arc discharge plasma treatment

In agriculture production,plant health is threatened by pathogens parasitic on seeds;hence,it is necessary to disinfect harvested seeds before germination.In this study,a technique of gliding arc plasma treatment was proposed and investigated.The experiment was conducted to treat Astragalus membranaceus (A.membranaceus) seeds that were artificially infected with Fusarium oxysporum (F.oxysporum).The plasma treatment duration varied from 30 s to 270 s.Direct and indirect treatments were compared to evaluate the inactivation efficiency of the F.oxysporum spores on the surface of seeds.The results indicated that the direct treatment behaved significantly better in disinfection than the indirect way.Meanwhile,experiments of the quantitative assessment of seed germination were also conducted,including the germination rate,the germination potential,and the germination index.The results showed that the inactivation efficiency increased as the plasma treatment time was extended.When the treatment time was 90 s,the inactivation efficiency reached more than 98％.The plasma treatment of 270 s had a complete devitalization of F.oxysporum spores on the surface of the seeds.After the treatment of 30 s and 90 s,the seed germination parameters improved significantly.This study verified the inactivation efficacy of gliding arc discharge plasma under atmospheric pressure.The technique of gliding arc treatment shows advantages of energy saving and adaptation and has the potential to be utilized in industry.     

Effects of Atmospheric Pressure Air Plasma Pretreatment on the Seed Germination and Early Growth of Andrographis paniculata

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate whether air plasma can change the seed germination characteristics, seedling emergence, as well as biochemical reactivity, in Andrographis paniculata （A. paniculata） seedlings by modifying the seed coat and finding a beneficial treatment dose. Eight treatment doses and one control were used to conduct electrical conductivity determination, a germination test, a seedling emergence test and a biochemical assay. The results showed that after being treated with air plasma excited at 5950 V for 10 s, the perme- ability of the seeds was improved significantly, resulting in the acceleration of seed germination and seedling emergence. In the meantime, the catalase activity and catalase isoenzyme expression were also improved, while the malondialdehyde content in the seedlings was decreased （which means greater counteraction with environmental stress）. After being treated with 4250 V for 10 s and 5950 V for 20 s, the seed germination was enhanced, but without an obvious change in seedUng emergence. However, after treatment with 3400 V for 20 s and 5100 V for 10 s, the permeability of the seeds was decreased, resulting in a delay in seedling emergence. These results indicate that air plasma can change the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Andrographis paniculata seeds by modifying the seed coat, combined with the effects of the active plasma species, and that different treating doses have different effects.     

The impact of cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet on seed germination and seedlings growth of fenugreek(Trigonella foenum-graecum)

The effects of cold atmospheric-pressure plasma jet(CAPPJ) were investigated on germination and early seedling growth of fenugreek(Trigonella foenum-graecum L) seeds.A two-electrode argon CAPPJ system with and without an additional grounded electrode [accelerating grounded(AG) electrode] was used at different exposure times.After 16 h of observation,the germination rates increased by 4 and 7 times,without and with using an AG electrode,respectively,for 1 min of plasma exposure.An increase in shoot fresh weight was observed,especially at 10 min exposure time.A high dry weight of root and shoot at 1 min-AG exposure time was observed.The root:shoot ratio was lower in plasma-treated seedlings,compared with the control plants.The study found that the O-radical emission line(777.4 nm) enhanced 5 times,due to the presence of an AG electrode,which increased the axial electric field and led to the formation of more streamers.The three stated effects(O-radicals,enhancement of the electric field and streamers) could be the cause for the stimulation of seed germination and seedling growth parameters when using the CAPPJ.The scanning electron microscope images showed the etching of the seed surface layers,which was more pronounced when an AG electrode was applied.The results of the current study indicate that the germination rates increased due to the increase of O-radical concentration and the etching of the seed surfaces.     

Effects of low-vacuum helium cold plasma treatment on seed germination,plant growth and yield of oilseed rape

The effects of low-vacuum helium cold plasma treatment on the seed germination,plant growth and yield of oilseed rape(Brassica napus L.cv.Zhongshuang 9) were investigated.Seeds were exposed to low-vacuum helium cold plasma ranging from 0–120 W for 15 s.Cold plasma increased the germination,plant growth and yield of oilseed rape,and the treatment of 100 W provided the best result.The germination rate,germination and vigor indices,and uniformity of emergence were improved by cold plasma treatment.Cold plasma raised the relative conductivity and water uptake,and reduced the apparent contact angle.The characteristics of plant growth,including plant height,stem diameter,dry weights of shoot and root at the seedling,bolting and flowering stages were increased by the cold plasma treatment.Yield components,including pod numbers per plant and 1000 seed weights were increased by the cold plasma treatment.Furthermore,the yield per plant increased by 28.20%.These results suggest that cold plasma treatment has the potential to improve the yield of oilseed rape through the enhancement of permeability,wettability and capacity of water uptake of the seeds,seed germination and plant growth.     

Non-thermal plasma treatment as a new biotechnology in relation to seeds,dry fruits,and grains

Non-thermal plasma(NTP) technology offers wide potential use in the food technology, the same as in the unconventional agriculture. Some seeds, dry fruits, grains and their sprouts gain popularity in the culinary industry as ‘raw seeds'. This review paper draws the current research and trends in NTP pre-treatment of selected seeds/fruits that are useable as ‘raw seeds'. The main applications are connected with activation of seed germination, early growth of seedlings,microbial inactivation of seed/fruit surface, and possibility of increasing quantity of biological active compounds in sprouting seeds. The paper presents a list of plant species that are able to be used as ‘raw seed' including current information about main type of NTP treatment implemented.     

Atmospheric pressure gliding arc discharge plasma treatments for improving germination,growth and yield of wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds were treated with atmospheric pressure gliding arc discharge plasmas to investigate the effects on water absorption, seed germination rate, seedling growth and yield in wheat. The surface architectures and functionalities of the seeds were found to modify due to plasma treatments. 6min treatment was provided 95%–100% germination rate. For the treatment duration of 3 and 9 min the growth activity, dry matter accumulation, leaves chlorophyll contents, longest spikes, number of spikes/spikelet and total soluble protein content in shoots were improved. The grain yield of wheat was increased ∼20% by 6min treatment with H ₂ O/O ₂ plasma with respect to control.     

Influence of cold plasma treatment on insecticidal properties of wheat seeds against red flour beetles

For the long-term fortification of warehoused crops, the insecticidal impact of cold plasma treated wheat seeds against red flour beetles are studied. In this study, the gain weight loss, mortality and repellency tests of cold plasma treated seeds are investigated and statistical analysis is carried out by SPSS software. Cold plasma treatment is carried out at 800 V for 1 and 4 min. The results show that the minimum grain weight loss is observed in plasma treated seeds as compared to controlled seeds. It is also observed that the mortality rate is minimum in the controlled seed while maximum at 4 min plasma treatment. Similarly, the repellent effect has a very small variation as compared to the controlled seed for Tribolium Castaneum. Therefore, plasma treatment can be considered as a practical and effective method for seed protection against red floor beetles particularly during long-term storage by controlling the insecticidal effects.     

Effects of cold plasma treatment on alfalfa seed growth under simulated drought stress

The effect of different cold plasma treatments on the germination and seedling growth of alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) seeds under simulated drought stress conditions was investigated.Polyethyleneglycol-6000(PEG 6000)with the mass fraction of 0%(purified water), 5%, 10%,and 15% were applied to simulate the drought environment. The alfalfa seeds were treated with15 different power levels ranged between 0–280 W for 15 s. The germination potential,germination rate, germination index, seedling root length, seedling height, and vigor index were investigated. Results indicated significant differences between treated with proper power and untreated alfalfa seeds. With the increase of treatment power, these indexes mentioned above almost presented bimodal curves. Under the different mass fractions of PEG 6000, results showed that the lower power led to increased germination, and the seedlings presented good adaptability to different drought conditions. Meanwhile, higher power levels resulted in a decreased germination rate. Seeds treated with 40 W resulted in higher germination potential,germination rate, seedling height, root length, and vigor index. Vigor indexes of the treated seeds under different PEG 6000 stresses increased by 38.68%, 43.91%, 74.34%, and 39.20%respectively compared to CK_(0-0), CK_(5-0), CK_(10-0), and CK_(15-0)(the control sample under 0%, 5%,10%, and 15% PEG 6000). Therefore, 40 W was regarded as the best treatment in this research.Although the trend indexes of alfalfa seeds treated with the same power were statistically the same under different PEG 6000 stresses, the cold plasma treatment had a significant effect on the adaptability of alfalfa seeds in different drought environments. Thus, this kind of treatment is worth implementing to promote seed growth under drought situations.     

单管法~(11)C-CH_3I的合成条件优化及胆碱生产与临床应用

通过对合成11C-CH3I所用试剂的用量、反应的载气流量、压力和反应温度、蒸发时间等条件进行优化,进而用柱色层法合成了11C-胆碱。在反应条件为:Li Al H4和57%HI的用量分别为0.3 mL和0.5 mL,反应的最佳载气流量和压力分别为27 mL/min、0.28 kPa,反应温度为180℃,蒸发时间为12 min下,11C-CH3I的校正后标记产率为62.2%±3.4%,放化纯度95%。临床脑胶质瘤和前列腺瘤疑似患者各1例在18F-FDG显像24 h后分别接受11C-胆碱检查,并与18F-FDG显像结果对照。显像结果表明,18F-FDG检查示低代谢区11C-胆碱均呈高代谢,联合用药可以更准确地区分病变的性质。     

微波辐照对苜蓿种子储存后发芽和幼苗生长生理特性的影响

为探明微波辐照对苜蓿种子在数年后的发芽及幼苗生长生理特性的影响,以室温下储存2 a的紫花苜蓿种子进行发芽和盆栽试验,测定种子发芽率、胚根伸长量、幼苗生长高度、单株结瘤数、固氮酶活性、叶绿素含量及叶绿素荧光特性等指标。结果表明：发芽15 d时,各处理的总发芽率均高于对照,且随着辐照时间的延长而降低;发芽11 d 时,各处理的胚根平均长度均低于对照;40 s辐照处理种子形成的幼苗高度、单株结瘤数及幼苗鲜重和干重均高于对照;幼苗根瘤的固氮酶活性均显著低于对照 （P<0.05）,叶片的叶绿素含量在辐照时长为10 s时最大;各处理叶片F₀和F_v/F_m的变化说明,在室温下储存2 a的辐照苜蓿种子形成幼苗后叶片的光能转化效率仍受到一定的胁迫。     

氦中痕量杂质气体气相色谱检测分析方法研究

为实现聚变堆氘氚燃料工艺气中痕量杂质气体组分的快速检测分析,需建立特殊的高精度在线气相色谱检测分析方法。以高纯氦作为载气,在不同的色谱柱温度和载气流速控制下,通过分子筛毛细管柱和PLOT-Q柱进行分离,采用放电氦离子化检测器（DID）进行检测,对氦中含量为1、10以及100 ppm的杂质标准气体进行检测分析。结果表明：在柱温为40 ℃、流速为15～20 mL/min实验条件下,分子筛柱在160 s内能够实现H₂、O₂、N₂、CH₄和CO全部分离,且柱效较高,响应值的重复性较好,H₂和O₂之间的分离度高于1.5,实现了完全分离;在柱温为40 ℃、流速为20 mL/min时,PLOT-Q柱分离CO₂组分效果最佳。     

Effect of Cold Plasma Treatment on Seed Germination and Growth of Wheat简

This study investigated the effect of cold helium plasma treatment on seed germina- tion, growth and yield of wheat. The effects of different power of cold plasma on the germination of treated wheat seeds were studied. We found that the treatment of 80 W could significantly improve seed germination potential （6.0%） and germination rate （6.7%） compared to the control group. Field experiments were carried out for wheat seeds treated with 80 W cold plasma. Com- pared with the control, plant height （20.3%）, root length （9.0%） and fresh weight （21.8%） were improved significantly at seedling stage. At booting stage, plant height, root length, fresh weight, stem diameter, leaf area and leaf thickness of the treated plant were respectively increased by 21.8%, 11.0%, 7.0%, 9.0%, 13.0% and 25.5%. At the same time, the chlorophyll content （9.8%）, nitrogen （10.0%） and moisture content （10.0%） were higher than those of the control, indicating that cold plasma treatment could promote the growth of wheat. The yield of treated wheat was 7.55 t-ha-1, 5.89% more than that of the control. Therefore, our results show that cold plasma has important application prospects for increasing wheat yield.     

常温下氙在椰壳活性炭上的吸附性能

利用脉冲进样气相色谱法研究椰壳活性炭常温吸附Xe的性能,获得了氙在椰壳活性炭上的吸附系数与温度、气体流速、Xe浓度的关系。研究结果表明：在20～50℃温度范围内,温度每升高1℃,Xe的吸附系数下降3%;气体流速在5～10cm/s范围内,Xe的吸附系数不受气体流速影响;气流中Xe浓度小于10^-3mL/mL时,其吸附系数亦不受影响。     

Improving Seed Germination and Peanut Yields by Cold Plasma Treatment

This study explored the effects of cold plasma treatment on seed germination, plant growth, and peanut yield. Cold plasma treatment improved germination and seedling growth,and the 120 W treatment produced the best effect. Germination potential and germination rate were markedly raised by 150% and 21%, respectively. Germination was accelerated and the uniformity of emergence improved. The apparent contact angle was decreased by 53%. Seedling shoot and root dry weights increased by 11% and 9%. Leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf nitrogen concentration, chlorophyll contents, and dry weight at the fruiting stage, together with plant height, stem diameter, and root dry weight at the mature stage were all markedly raised by the cold plasma treatment. The cold plasma treatment enhanced yield components, such as branch numbers per plant, pod numbers per plant, and 100 pod weights by 8%, 13%, and 9%, respectively,compared to the control. Furthermore, the yield improved by 10%. These results suggested that cold plasma treatment improved germination, plant growth, and yield, which might be due to the cold plasma increasing the leaf area, nitrogen concentrations, and chlorophyll contents.     

Quality enhancement and microbial reduction of mung bean (Vigna radiata) sprouts by non-thermal plasma pretreatment of seeds

Mung bean (Vigna radiata) sprouts are widely consumed worldwide due to their high nutritional value. However, the low yield and microbial contamination of mung bean sprouts seriously reduces their economic value. This study investigates the effects of non-thermal plasma on the quality and microbial reduction of mung bean sprouts by pretreatment of seeds in water for different times (0, 1, 3 and 6 min). The quality results showed that short-time plasma treatment (1 and 3 min) promoted seed germination and seedling growth, whereas long-time plasma treatment (6 min) had inhibitory effects. Plasma also had a similar dose effects on the total flavonoid and phenolic contents of mung bean sprouts. The microbiological results showed that plasma treatment achieved a reduction of native microorganisms ranging from 0.54 to 7.09 log for fungi and 0.29 to 6.80 log for bacteria at 96 h incubation. Meanwhile, plasma treatment could also efficiently inactivate artificially inoculated Salmonella typhimurium (1.83–6.22 log) and yeast (0.53–3.19 log) on mung bean seeds. The results of seed coat permeability tests and scanning electron microscopy showed that plasma could damage the seed coat structure, consequently increasing the electrical conductivity of mung bean seeds. The physicochemical analysis of plasma-treated water showed that plasma generated various long- and short-lived active species [nitric oxide radicals (NO·), hydroxyl radicals (·OH), singlet oxygen (1O2), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitrate (${{\rm{NO}}}_{3}^{-}$), and nitrite (${{\rm{NO}}}_{2}^{-}$)] in water, thus the oxidizability, acidity and conductivity of plasma-treated water were all increased in a treatment time-dependent manner. The result for mimicked chemical mixtures confirmed the synergistic effect of activity of H2O2, ${{\rm{NO}}}_{3}^{-}$ and ${{\rm{NO}}}_{2}^{-}$ on bacterial inactivation and plant growth promotion. Taken together, these results imply that plasma pretreatment of mung bean seeds in water with moderate oxidizability and acidity is an effective method to improve the yield of mung bean sprouts and reduce microbial contamination.     

Germination of Chenopodium Album in Response to Microwave Plasma Treatment

The seeds of Lamb＇s Quarters （Chenopodium album agg.） were stimulated by low- pressure discharge. The tested seeds were exposed to plasma discharge for different time durations （from 6 minutes to 48 minutes）. Germination tests were performed under specified laboratory conditions during seven days in five identical and completely independent experiments. Significant differences between the control and plasma-treated seeds were observed. The treated seeds showed structural changes on the surface of the seat coat. They germinated faster and their sprout accretion on the first day of seed germination was longer. Germination rate for the untreated seeds was 15% while it increased approximately three times （max 55%） for seeds treated by plasma from 12 minutes to 48 minutes.     

自动固相萃取仪在尿中钚分析方法中的应用

为了对钚操作者内照射剂量进行有效监测和估算,国际辐射防护委员会(ICRP)推荐测量工作人员的排泄物,比如对尿液中钚进行分析。本研究采用自行研制的自动固相萃取仪分离纯化尿中的钚,并优化实验方案,实现自动化操作。分离纯化的优化实验条件为:料液硝酸浓度为7~8mol/L、吸附速度为0.5mL/min、解吸速度为0.3mL/min和解吸液为10mL 0.36mol/L HCl-0.01mol/L HF溶液。采用优化条件处理后,全程平均回收率为75.70%,相对标准偏差为7.98%。结果表明,在尿中钚分析的前处理中,采用自动固相萃取仪进行分离纯化,能够显著提高分离效率,提高样品前处理的稳定性。     

12C6+重离子辐照大葱的生物学效应

用30Gy、90Gy和180Gy 12C6 重离子辐照处理大葱干种子,研究了它对大葱的生物学效应.经过不同剂量12C6 重离子照射过的大葱,幼苗发芽率、株高等表型随着辐照剂量的增大,呈现明显的"抛物线"趋势.适量的12C6 重离子照射(30Gy)能提高大葱发芽率和抗旱、抗倒伏能力,促进生长发育.重离子辐照能有效地诱导大葱根尖细胞微核和染色体畸变形成,180Gy处理的大葱微核率和染色体畸变率最高达到9.09%和10.03%.本实验为大葱的重离子辐照育种打下基础.     

Stimulating Effects of Seed Treatment by Magnetized Plasma on Tomato Growth and Yield

Tomato seeds （Lycopersicon esculentum L. Mill. cv. zhongshu No. 6） were treated by magnetized plasma before being sown to investigate its effect on the growth and yield of tomatoes. Biochemical analysis showed that dehydrogenase activity increased with the increase of the current but decreased when the current was higher than 1.5 A. The activities of peroxidase （POD） isoenzyme changed in the same pattern. There was no difference in germination percentage between treatments and control, which were carried out in laboratory conditions. However, significant （c~ = 0.01） difference was observed in germination percentage in the pot experiment. In the pot experiment, the sprouting rate for the treatment with a 1.5 A current was 32.75%, whereas the untreated was only 4.75% on the eleventh day. Germination time is more than one day earlier than the control. The 1.5 A treatment increased the tomato yield by 20.7%.