Abstract / Summary
Abstract Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has attracted considerable attention as an eco-friendly technology for enhancing seedling vigor, seedling biomass, and early plant development. In this study, the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma on two barley cultivars, Bahman and Novosadski (Hordeum vulgare L.), were investigated under different exposure times and working gases. Seeds were first treated with air plasma at 1, 2, and 3 min to determine the optimal exposure duration, followed by comparison of different gases (air, Ar, N₂, O₂, N₂+O₂, and Ar + O₂). Final germination percentage remained unchanged (100%) across all treatments; however, plasma significantly affected seedling growth parameters in a cultivar-dependent manner. The optimal treatment for Bahman was 3 min air plasma, while Novosadski showed the best response at 1 min. Air plasma produced the highest overall improvements in shoot length, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight in both cultivars, whereas nitrogen plasma generally showed inhibitory effects. Surface analyses including FTIR, SEM, water contact angle, and water absorption indicated that plasma treatment modified seed surface properties and increased hydrophilicity, which likely enhanced water uptake and seedling development. These findings demonstrate that DBD cold plasma can improve early barley growth, although the effectiveness strongly depends on treatment conditions and cultivar type.