The results of an experimental study of the dependence of the energy of a surface barrier discharge on the value of the supply sinusoidal voltage with a frequency of 4 and 20 kHz in the electrode system of parallel stripes with a distance between them of 5 and 30 mm are presented. At a distance of 5 mm between the strips, there is a self-limited surface discharge in the electrode system. Self-limiting of the discharge leads to the fact that with an increase in the applied voltage, the energy invested in the electrode system increases more slowly than in the case when the discharge exists without restrictions. The energy of a self-limited discharge is 15-40% lower than the energy of a discharge that exists without restriction

The treatment of soft winter wheat seeds of long-term storage with products of low-temperature plasma of the surface discharge was carried out according to an indirect scheme, i.e. without a contact between the layer of stationary seeds and the surface discharge existing in a strip electrode system with a distance between the strips of 10 mm. The treatment was carried out at an exposure time of 60 seconds in two modes of feeding the electrodes: with a sinusoidal voltage of 16 kHz/1.5 kV and 4.4 kHz/2.4 kV. The biometric parameters of seedlings on the third and seventh days, the tolerance of cold hardened seedlings to low temperatures, and the seed contamination were evaluated. It was found that the performed treatment does not provide an increase in quality characteristics of germination and tolerance to low temperatures, and also does not reduce seed contamination in conditions of high mycobiota level.