# Overcoming Dormancy of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) Seeds Using Various Non-Thermal Plasma Sources

## TL;DR

This study shows that non-thermal plasma can break the dormancy of black locust seeds by modifying their waxy coat to allow water to enter and promote germination.

## Contribution

The paper introduces non-thermal plasma as a novel method to overcome seed dormancy in black locust by altering the seed coat's surface properties.

## Key findings

- Non-thermal plasma treatments significantly increased seed germination rates, with over 80% germination using dielectric barrier discharge.
- Plasma treatment reduced the water contact angle of the seed surface, indicating hydrophilization and improved water penetration.
- Two mechanisms were identified: oxygen binding to the wax surface and etching of channels in the wax layer.

## Abstract

Black locust (Fabaceae family) seeds are known for their strong dormant state and are an excellent candidate for studying and developing methods to break dormancy. We investigated overcoming the dormancy using several different sources of non-thermal plasma, which, by modifying, etching, or disrupting the waxy seed coat, allowed water to penetrate the seeds and initiate germination. All plasma sources tested enhanced seed germination to varying degrees, with over 80% germination observed when using a dielectric barrier discharge, while control seeds showed no germination. Non-thermal plasma treatment significantly decreased the water contact angle of the seed surface from an initial 120° (for untreated seeds) to complete wetting when using a dielectric barrier discharge or atmospheric-pressure plasma jet. The experiments indicate two mechanisms for the modification of the waxy seed coat by a non-thermal plasma: hydrophilization of the wax surface through the binding of oxygen particles and etching of narrow channels in the wax layer, allowing water to penetrate the seed.