Plasma technology is an emerging sector in agriculture. The effect of low-frequency glow discharge (LFGD) plasma at medium pressure (10 torr) on maize morpho-physiological and agronomical behavior was investigated in the current studies. The LFGD plasma act as a secondary messenger to improve maize production. This cutting-edge plasma technology can be used in agriculture to boost agronomic possibilities. Maize seeds were treated with LFGD Ar + Air gas plasma for 30 s, 60 s, 90 s, and 120 s. The gas ratio of Ar + Air was 1:99. Plasma was produced with a high voltage (1–6 kV) and low (3–5 kHz) frequency power supply across the electrodes. The internal pressure was maintained at ~ 10 torrs with a vacuum pump in the plasma chamber. Inside the plasma production chamber, the gas flow rate was maintained at 1 L/min. Effect of LFGD Ar + Air plasma on seed germination, and growth parameters including, shoot length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, plant height, stem diameter, and chlorophyll were measured and in comparison with the control the parameter scores increased by 4.89%, 3.18%, 1.77%, 5.53%, 1.90%, 5.16%, 1.90%, 1.98%, respectively. The SEM image of the seeds surface demonstrated remarkable changes caused by plasma treatment. In roots, APX and SOD activities improved by only 0.022% and 0.64%, whereas, in shoots their activities showed a 0.014% and 0.25% increment compared to control. Further, H2O2, soluble protein, and sugar content increased by 0.12%, 0.33%, 2.50% and 1.15%, 1.41%, 2.99%, 1.16% in shoots and roots, respectively, while NO showed no significant changes in plants. Interestingly, notable improvement were found in nutritional properties (protein 0.32%, fat 0.96%, fiber 0.22%, ash 0.31%, grain iron 1.77%, shoots iron 7.61%, and manganese 6.25%), while the moisture content was reduced by 0.93% which might be useful in prolonged seed storage and the long life viability of the seeds. However, zinc (Zn) content in maize seedlings from plasma-treated seeds showed no significant change. The present study revealed that LFGD Ar + Air gas plasma is associated with the elevation of ROS in leaves and roots, which in turn improves the seed germination rate, agronomic traits, growth, enzymatic activity, and nutritional supplement in maize.

中文翻译：

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低频辉光放电 (LFGD) 等离子体处理增强玉米 (Zea mays L.) 种子发芽、农艺性状、酶活性和营养特性

等离子技术是农业中的一个新兴领域。在目前的研究中，研究了中压（10 托）下的低频辉光放电（LFGD）等离子体对玉米形态生理和农艺行为的影响。LFGD 血浆充当提高玉米产量的辅助信使。这种尖端的等离子技术可用于农业，以提高农艺的可能性。玉米种子用 LFGD Ar + Air 气体等离子体处理 30 秒、60 秒、90 秒和 120 秒。Ar+Air的气体比为1:99。等离子体是通过电极上的高压 (1-6 kV) 和低频 (3-5 kHz) 电源产生的。使用等离子室中的真空泵将内部压力保持在~10 托。在等离子体生产室内，气体流速保持在 1 L/min。LFGD Ar + Air 等离子体对种子萌发的影响，测量了芽长、根长、鲜重、干重、株高、茎粗和叶绿素等生长参数，与对照相比，参数得分提高了 4.89 %、3.18%、1.77%、5.53%、1.90%、5.16%、1.90%、1.98%。种子表面的 SEM 图像显示了等离子体处理引起的显着变化。在根中，APX 和 SOD 活性仅提高了 0.022% 和 0.64%，而在芽中，它们的活性与对照相比分别增加了 0.014% 和 0.25%。此外，H2O2、可溶性蛋白和糖含量分别增加了 0.12%、0.33%、2.50% 和 1.15%、1.41%、2.99%、1.16%，而 NO 在植物中没有显着变化。有趣的是，营养特性（蛋白质 0.32%、脂肪 0.96%、纤维 0.22%、灰分 0.31%、谷物铁 1.77%、芽铁 7.61%、锰 6.25%）显着改善，而水分含量降低了 0.93%，可能有助于延长种子储存时间和延长种子的生命力。然而，等离子体处理种子的玉米幼苗中的锌 (Zn) 含量没有显着变化。本研究表明，LFGD Ar + Air 气体等离子体与叶和根中 ROS 的升高有关，这反过来又提高了玉米的种子发芽率、农艺性状、生长、酶活性和营养补充。93% 这可能有助于延长种子储存时间和延长种子的生命力。然而，等离子体处理种子的玉米幼苗中的锌 (Zn) 含量没有显着变化。本研究表明，LFGD Ar + Air 气体等离子体与叶和根中 ROS 的升高有关，这反过来又提高了玉米的种子发芽率、农艺性状、生长、酶活性和营养补充。93% 这可能有助于延长种子储存时间和延长种子的生命力。然而，等离子体处理种子的玉米幼苗中的锌 (Zn) 含量没有显着变化。本研究表明，LFGD Ar + Air 气体等离子体与叶和根中 ROS 的升高有关，这反过来又提高了玉米的种子发芽率、农艺性状、生长、酶活性和营养补充。