Effect of Glow Discharge Plasma on Germination and Fungal Load of Some Cereal Seeds

Abstract

Glow discharge plasma was applied on barley and corn seeds in order to decrease the number of seed-borne fungi. It was found that the fungal loads of the seeds of both plant species decreased with the increasing exposure times of plasma. The initial germination and seed growth characteristics evolution together with the fungal load inactivation indicated that glow discharge could be applied as a pre-treatment of seeds in order to improve cereal crops.