The effect of low-pressure plasma treatment of seeds on the plant resistance to pathogens and crop yields

Abstract The effect of pre-sowing plasma seed treatment of maize ( Zea mays L.), narrow-leaved lupine ( Lupinus angustifolius L.) and winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) on seed germination, plant resistance to common diseases during vegetation and crop yield is studied in laboratory and field experiments. It is shown the efficiency of seed treatment by low-pressure radio frequency plasma in suppression of a number of fungal crop diseases such as boil smut of maize, root rot of lupine and winter wheat at different growth stages. At the stage of V9 (9th leaf visible) the infection level in maize plants from treated seeds was 3 times less than that in control. Root rot disease development of lupine at the first stages (3rd–4th leaves emerged) of growth did not exceed 6.9% in plants from the treated seeds while reached to 47.8% in control. Pre-sowing seed treatment led to suppress the anthracnose spreading on narrow-leaved lupine up to the flowering stage. It was revealed that, due to a decrease in the level of seed infection, stimulation of field germination, early seedling growth and plant resistance to pathogens during the vegetation period, the winter wheat grain yield increased by 2.3%, maize—by 1.7%, narrow–leaved lupine—by 26.8% compared to control plants. Increases in activity of non-enzymatic antioxidants (proline, anthocyanins as well as total phenolic content) in roots of maize seedling were observed which may indicate a significant role of plasma seed treatment in improving the plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress during the vegetation.