Effects of plasma activated water on wheat: Germination, growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, soluble protein content, and antioxidant enzymes activity

Abstract

The paper presents the study on the effects of the plasma activated water (PAW) generated by transient spark discharge on the wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivated in vitro and in vivo. Water uptake and germination of seeds, growth parameters of seedlings and plants, as well as the content of photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins and activity of antioxidant enzymes are reported and correlated with the concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the PAW. The PAW improves germination, early development of the seedlings, the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves and soluble protein content in the roots, and suppresses the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The results indicate that the PAW may effectively stimulate growth of the wheat seedlings and positively affect their metabolism especially in the soil with low nutrient content.