The effect of cold plasma on seed germination and seedling growth characteristics of soybean commercial cultivars

In order to investigate the effect of cold plasma on seed germination characteristics and seedling growth of soybean commercial cultivars, an experiment in the form of a nest-factorial design with four replications was performed at the Plasma Physics Research Center of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Research Sciences Branch and Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute (SPCRI) in 2021. Seeds were exposed to cold plasma for 30, 60, 180, 300 and 420 seconds. In general, germination percentage from 0 to 66.97%, germination rate from 0 to 32.17%, germination index from 3.61 to 60.09%, mean germination time from 4.62 to 66.66%, root length 2.87 to 56.13%, seedling length 2.70 to 78.13%, normal seedling number 0 to 30.26% and seedling dry weight 1.36 to 36.63% increased compared to control treatment. The results of our study showed that 60 seconds treatment had the most positive effect on seed germination characteristics and seedling growth of soybean.