Germination Energy, Germination Capacity and Microflora of Allium cepa L. Seeds after RF Plasma Conditioning

This paper presents the results of an experiment on the effect of the cold plasma (He+O2 or He+Air) pre-sowing stimulation of seeds of the Wolska cultivar of onion on the process of their germination. Four groups of seeds characterized by different exposure times (60, 120, 240 and 480 s) were used. Untreated seeds were used as a control. The distance between the electrode and the tested material was 50 mm. Pre-sowing plasma stimulation improved germination parameters such as germination capacity and germination energy for all the tested groups relative to the control. The highest fractions of germinated seeds were observed for an exposure time of 120 s. Analysis of the data showed a statistically significant impact of RF plasma on the seed germination parameters of the onion. SEM analysis showed that the interaction with plasma produced tension in the cells, leading to a change in their shape. No visible damage to the onion seed cells was observed, apart from the effect of depletion of the upper wax layer. The best influence on pathogenic fungi was when the group of seeds underwent 240 and 480 s of exposure to plasma fumigation, especially using the He+Air RF plasma jet.