Effects of Plasma Treatment on the Germination and Development of Soybeans

In order to meet the growing food supply needs for current world population growth rate, advancements in agriculture are required. Plasma treatment of seeds has shown promise in terms of increased seed storability and yield once planted. The plasma treatment of soybeans has the potential to make a significant socio-economic impact. The atmospheric pressure plasma, produced creates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that have a biological influence. Preliminary results have shown that this affects water absorption and root development, among other physiological traits. Characterization of these reactions and their effects are investigated using a 2dimensional apparatus that involves a fast-camera and spectroscopy setup. This allows optical investigation by slicing the packed bed into a “layer.” This layer eliminates the overlaying emissions that prevent such analysis. The discharge was formed using a varying nanosecond pulsed discharge, an AC power supply, and dry air or argon gas in order to control and compare the various ROS species populations formed within the different plasma types. To assess germination and development of the soybeans, data collection and analysis of percent germination, root dry weight, fresh root length, and fresh above root length were collected. An overarching goal of this work is to obtain a better understanding of agricultural applications of plasma treatment and the fundamental plasma-physical interactions involving organic material.