Atmospheric plasma overcomes dormancy of Pityrocarpa moniliformis (Benth.) Luckow & R. W. Jobson seeds

Abstract

Atmospheric plasma application technology consists of a fast and practical method, which has the potential to modify the surface of seeds with integumentary hardness. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of applying atmospheric cold plasma on Pityrocarpa moniliformis seeds, assessing its implications on the seed coat impermeability, germination and vigor. Cells were subjected to plasma for 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 minutes, using seeds without any treatment as a control. After application, the seed coat wettability, imbibition curve and electrical conductivity of the soaking solution were determined. Seeds were also subjected to the germination test, and its results were used to determine viability, median, uniformity and asymmetry of germination. Seeds subjected to plasma for 5.0 and 4.0 minutes showed the lowest apparent contact angles, 64 and 61°, respectively, characterizing greater wettability of the seed coat among the treatments tested. Higher germination was observed in the treatments with plasma application when compared to the control. Atmospheric plasma application technology has the potential to be used as an accelerator of P. moniliformis seed germination.

Non-Thermal Plasma Treatment Improves Properties of Dormant Seeds of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)

“…In wild alfalfa (Medicago sativa) species, and in other plant cultivars, a significant effect of NTP treatment on germination compared as to the untreated control was demonstrated [22]. The positive effect of NTP treatment on dormant seeds of Pityrocarpa moniliformis was also demonstrated [24]. Commercial cultivation of this Brazilian economically (timber) and socially (medicinal) important tree [48,49] can be facilitated by using of NTP.…”

“…However, only a small number of experiments have focused on the breaking of seed dormancy by NTP [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. The oldest information on the possibility of breaking dormancy in seeds was after direct NTP treatment of Chenopodium album seeds, where the growth curve was influenced by the speed and number of germinating seeds [16].…”

“…The oldest information on the possibility of breaking dormancy in seeds was after direct NTP treatment of Chenopodium album seeds, where the growth curve was influenced by the speed and number of germinating seeds [16]. Direct seed treatment with NTP was specifically tested on the species Erythrina velutina [17], Mimosa caesalpiniafolia [18], Leucaena leucocephala [21], Medicago sativa [22], and Pityrocarpa moniliformis [24], and the results reported an increase in the hydrophobicity of the seed surface and greater seed germination. Changes in ABA/GA phytohormones as a function of Raphanus sativus seed growth shed light on the physiological processes during dormancybreaking [20].…”

Seed thermo-priming accelerates the growth of Ceiba glaziovii (Kutze) K.Schum. seedlings

“…(Lorenzi, 2009), may present tegumentary dormancy in their seeds, which makes the production of seedlings difficult (Nascimento 2012). Tegumentary dormancy (exogenous) is the impermeability of the tegument imposed by the tissues that surround the seed that prevents entry of water or oxygen because it is thick and rigid, or because it has chemical inhibitors, or because it has high mechanical resistance (Nicolau et al 2022). C. glaziovii is an endemic species from northeastern Brazil, popularly known as "barriguda" or "paineira branca" due to its ability to retain a lot of water in the stem (Du Bocage & Sales 2002) and adjust osmotically under stressful conditions (Santos Júnior et al 2020).…”