Effect of the surface dielectric barrier discharge plasmas on winter rye seeds germination

Abstract

Results of experimental studies of the effect of surface dielectric barrier discharge plasma products on the seeds of winter rye (Secale cereale L., "Chulpan" variety, 2013 harvest, treatment in the 1st-2nd quarters of 2017) located at a distance of 8-10 mm from the surface of the barrier are presented. The electrode system consists of parallel strips 1 mm wide, located 5 mm apart. A sinusoidal voltage of 25 kHz 2.5 kV is applied to the strips. The seeds are determined by the action of the electric field strength (1-1.6 kV/cm), the chemical active particles and the ion wind induced towards the seed layer (the ion wind velocity is 0.2-0.5 m/s, measured by the particle image velocimetry system). Optimal processing mode is achieved by changing the exposure time of seeds by the action of surface discharge products (from 15 to 120 s). It is shown that when the system is actively cooled (temperature 23-24 °C), the length of the shoot is proportional to the exposure time. In this treatment mode, the root system at all exposures is stimulated significantly. When the system operates without cooling, the maximum length response of the seedling is observed at 60 s (at 60 s the temperature reaches 54 °C).