Impact of low-temperature plasma on germination process of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Malz)

This work presents the study of low temperature plasma (LTP) effect on the activity of enzymes involved in the germination of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv. Malz). Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge was used to generate LTP in ambient air at atmospheric pressure, in oxygen and nitrogen atmosphere at application times 60, 180 and 300 s. Three-day old plant-lets showed an increase in SOD activity and a decrease in G-POX and protease activity, depending on the generating environment of the NTP and the length of exposition time. High exposition times and NTP generation in the nitrogen environment have been toxic to grains, diminishing or stopping germination likely due to of severe oxidative stress. A suitable environment for the treatment of grains was oxygen and air when applied at low time intervals. (authors)