Plasma is an ionizing gas used as a surface treatment technique. The technology is also gaining interest in the field of agriculture. Cold plasma is used to treat seeds for the purpose of seed decontamination or to influence seed physiology to improve germination, plant growth and resistance to abiotic stress. We have demonstrated cold plasma treatment of seeds affects the chemical and morphological properties of the surface, especially in longer plasma treatments. The responses of seeds to plasma treatment is species and variety specific, and is influenced by the structural, chemical and genetic characteristics of the seeds. As a result of the plasma treatment, some elements are redistributed in the seeds, and longer plasma treatments cause the leakage of elements out of the seeds due to the compromised membrane permeability. We report the first attempt to improve biofortification of buckwheat seeds and sprouts with Zn by plasma pre-treatment of seeds. However, plasma pre-treatment did not contribute to a higher concentration of Zn in seeds and sprouts. The proven redistribution of elements in seeds after plasma treatment opens up a new field of research that will significantly contribute to discovering the mechanisms of the effect of plasma treatment on seeds.
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