The effect of cold plasma seed treatments on nodulation and plant growth in pea (Pisum sativum) and lentil (Lens culinaris)

Cold plasma enhances various biological processes in plants. This study assessed the impact of cold plasma seed treatments on nodulation, root, and shoot growth in pea and lentil under controlled environmental conditions. Seeds were treated with cold plasma generated by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and a pin electrode reactor (PER), with three different exposure durations (3, 6, and 12 min). At 4 weeks, notable enhancements were observed in nodule number and dry weight, root dry weight, length, volume, surface area, and shoot dry weight. The 3- and 6-min exposure using the DBD and the 3-min exposure using the PER system demonstrated the most significant increases or upward trends in these traits, highlighting the intricate nature of seed-plasma interactions.