Ion Mobility and Segregation in Seed Surfaces Subjected to Cold Plasma Treatments

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c09650
• Publication Date: 2025-02-24T09:41:53Z
• Authors: Alvaro Perea-Brenes; Natalia Ruiz-Pino; Francisco Yubero; Jose Luis Garcia; Agustín R. Gonzal...; Ana Gomez-Ramirez; Antonio Prados; Carmen Lopez-Santos
• Keywords: Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph); Condensed Matter - Materials Science; Biological Physics (physics.bio-ph); Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci); FOS: Physical sciences; Physics - Biological Physics; Physics - Plasma Physics

Plasma treatment of seeds is an efficient procedure to accelerate germination, improve initial stages plant growth, and for protection against pathogen infection. Most studies relate these beneficial effects with biochemical modifications affecting the metabolism genetic growth factors young plants. Using barley seeds, in this work, we investigate redistribution ions seed surface upon their cold air plasmas. In addition, effect plasma lixiviation through seeds' hull when they are immersed water. Ion outer layers plasma-treated has been experimentally determined X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis combination in-depth chemical profiling gas cluster ion beams. The results show that shallowest (at least up a depth ∼100 nm) there enrichment K+ Ca2+ ions, addition changes O/C N/C atomic ratios. These data have confirmed by electron microscopy/fluorescence cuts. Observations accounted Monte Carlo model, simulating electrostatic interactions develop between negative charge accumulated at due interaction sheath positive existing interior. Furthermore, it shown water immersion mobilized tend lixiviate more efficiently than pristine seeds. detection significant concentration NO3- anions attributed secondary reaction nitrogen species incorporated into during exposure reactive oxygen formed on treatment. implications findings improvement germination capacity discussed.