Enhancing Tomato Seed Vitality through Cold Plasma Treatment with Seed Flipping: A Path to Optimal Plant Growth

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cold plasma treatment on tomato seeds, focusing on the enhancement of seed vigor and germination rates. The research demonstrates that treatment duration of 24 seconds, combined with a seed flipping technique, significantly enhanced the germination percentage. The results indicate that plasma treatment not only elevates the germination percentage from 56% in the control group to 82% in treated seeds but also optimizes root and shoot lengths, thereby contributing to a higher vigor index. The study highlights the importance of uniform plasma exposure, as overexposure to a single side of the seed can adversely affect seed performance. These findings suggest that incorporating seed flipping in plasma treatment protocols can maximize the benefits of this innovative technology, paving the way for improved agricultural practices and seed treatment methodologies. Future research should focus on the mechanistic understanding of plasma-induced changes in seed physiology and the development of optimized treatment systems for commercial applications.