The Effects of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma on Germination Parameters, Enzyme Activities and Induction of DNA Damage in Barley

Abstract

Climate change, environmental pollution and pathogen resistance to available chemical agents are part of the problems that the food industry has to face in order to ensure healthy food for people and livestock. One of the promising solutions to these problems is the use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP). Plasma is suitable for efficient surface decontamination of seeds and food products, germination enhancement and obtaining higher yields in agricultural production. However, the plasma effects vary due to plasma source, treatment conditions and seed type. In our study, we tried to find the proper conditions for treatment of barley grains by diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge, in which positive effects of CAPP, such as enhanced germination or decontamination effects, would be maximized and harmful effects, such as oxidation and genotoxic potential, minimized. Besides germination parameters, we evaluated DNA damage and activities of various germination and antioxidant enzymes in barley seedlings. Plasma exposure resulted in changes in germination parameters and enzyme activities. Longer exposures had also genotoxic effects. As such, our findings indicate that appropriate plasma exposure conditions need to be carefully optimized in order to preserve germination, oxidation balance and genome stability, should CAPP be used in agricultural practice.

Physiological Responses of Young Pea and Barley Seedlings to Plasma-Activated Water

“…Moreover, the available data are focused mainly on the direct plasma treatment. For example, Peťková et al [ 51 ] showed a positive effect of NTP generated in three different atmospheres with short exposure time (10–30 s) on barley grains, while longer exposure time (60 s and 180 s) caused an opposite effect on protease activity. These results were also confirmed by Švubová et al [ 20 , 49 ] on pea seeds.…”

“…However, in this study, younger plants (3-day-old seedlings) were used for experiments, and this could be the reason why the DNA damage was higher (also in control samples). DNA damage in 7-day-old barley seedlings after direct plasma treatment was analysed in the study of Peťková et al [ 51 ]. A statistically significant increase in DNA damage was observed in all samples treated with plasma generated in nitrogen, oxygen or ambient air for 10–60 s. These damages were caused mainly by single-strand breaks and purine oxidation.…”

Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment of Maize Grains—Induction of Growth, Enzyme Activities and Heat Shock Proteins

“…Zhang et al [25] reported that argon plasma positively affected soybean seed germination as well as the growth and development of young seedlings by regulating the level of demethylation of genes associated with energy metabolism. Acceleration of the germination process by positively influencing the activity of lytic enzymes (proteases, glucanases, amylases) is also presented in the works by Sadhu et al [62] for mung beans, Švubová et al [19] for pea seeds, Švubová et al [20] for soybean, and Pet'ková et al [21] for barley grains. The effective mobilization of storage substances and the increase of the soluble sugar and protein content in oilseed rape seedlings are documented by Ling et al [63].…”

“…Sci. 2021, 22, 8509 9 of 21 of lytic enzymes (proteases, glucanases, amylases) is also presented in the works by Sadhu et al [62] for mung beans, Švubová et al [19] for pea seeds, Švubová et al [20] for soybean, and Peťková et al [21] for barley grains. The effective mobilization of storage substances and the increase of the soluble sugar and protein content in oilseed rape seedlings are documented by Ling et al [63].…”

“…Besides the faster water uptake, the activity of enzymes, which mobilize the seed reserves, is essential. The increase in activity of proteases and glucanases, which was observed in seedlings from plasma-treated seeds, is also connected to the enhancement of germination and growth [20,21].…”