Effect of nitrogen and oxygen low-pressure cold plasma and their mixtures on the germination and early seedling growth of Tartary buckwheat

A key challenge of the 21st century is the growing human population and the decline of arable land; therefore, new technologies that could ensure higher yields and minimise losses on existing land without further negative impacts on the environment are being sought. Cold plasma treatment of seeds is a promising green technology in agriculture and food production. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different oxygen and nitrogen gas mixtures in a low-pressure cold plasma system on germination and early seedling growth of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum). Our results indicate that nitrogen cold plasma is less aggressive and thus more suitable for treating Tartary buckwheat grains, as a 45-second treatment did not affect germination or early seedling growth, whereas a 90-second treatment decreased germination by less than 10% compared to the control, without affecting seedling length or biomass. Interestingly, the higher oxygen content in the gas mixture and the longer cold plasma treatment time resulted in a more pronounced negative impact on germination and early seedling growth.