Effects of low-vacuum helium cold plasma treatment on seed germination, plant growth and yield of oilseed rape

The effects of low-vacuum helium cold plasma treatment on the seed germination, plant growth and yield of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. cv. Zhongshuang 9) were investigated. Seeds were exposed to low-vacuum helium cold plasma ranging from 0–120 W for 15 s. Cold plasma increased the germination, plant growth and yield of oilseed rape, and the treatment of 100 W provided the best result. The germination rate, germination and vigor indices, and uniformity of emergence were improved by cold plasma treatment. Cold plasma raised the relative conductivity and water uptake, and reduced the apparent contact angle. The characteristics of plant growth, including plant height, stem diameter, dry weights of shoot and root at the seedling, bolting and flowering stages were increased by the cold plasma treatment. Yield components, including pod numbers per plant and 1000 seed weights were increased by the cold plasma treatment. Furthermore, the yield per plant increased by 28.20%. These results suggest that cold plasma treatment has the potential to improve the yield of oilseed rape through the enhancement of permeability, wettability and capacity of water uptake of the seeds, seed germination and plant growth.