title: Interaction of cold radiofrequency plasma with seeds of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).
abstract: The impact of cold radiofrequency air plasma on the wetting properties and water imbibition of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) was studied. The influence of plasma on wetting of a cotyledon and seed coat (testa) was elucidated. It was established that cold plasma treatment leads to hydrophilization of the cotyledon and tissues constituting the testa when they are separately exposed to plasma. By contrast, when the entire bean is exposed to plasma treatment, only the external surface of the bean is hydrophilized by the cold plasma. Water imbibition by plasma-treated beans was studied. Plasma treatment markedly accelerates the water absorption. The crucial role of a micropyle in the process of water imbibition was established. It was established that the final percentage of germination was almost the same in the cases of plasma-treated, untreated, and vacuum-pumped samples. However, the speed of germination was markedly higher for the plasma-treated samples. The influence of the vacuum pumping involved in the cold plasma treatment on the germination was also clarified.
authors.affiliation: Ariel University, Physics Faculty, POB 3, 40700, Ariel, Israel Ariel University, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Faculty, POB 3, 40700, Ariel, Israel Edward@ariel.ac.il.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bormashenko
authors.affiliation: Ariel University, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Faculty, POB 3, 40700, Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: Yekaterina
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shapira
authors.affiliation: Ariel University, Physics Faculty, POB 3, 40700, Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grynyov
authors.affiliation: Ariel University, Physics Faculty, POB 3, 40700, Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: Gene
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Whyman
authors.affiliation: Ariel University, Physics Faculty, POB 3, 40700, Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: Yelena
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bormashenko
authors.affiliation: Agriculture Research Department, The Samaria and Jordan Rift Regional R&D Center, Science Park, 40700, Ariel, Israel.
authors.forename: Elyashiv
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Drori
mesh_terms: D065567:Absorption, Physiological; D000327:Adsorption; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D027805:Phaseolus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011846:Radio Waves; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014618:Vacuum; D014867:Water; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D058626:Plasma Gases; D014867:Water
keywords: Beans; contact angle; germination; plasma treatment; water imbibition; wetting properties.