Advancing seed quality through cold plasma technology: A sustainable approach for agricultural enhancement

Seeds are exposed to various physical and biological stress during germination. Water uptake plays a major role in germination as it determines the permeability of the seed coat. To enhance seed coat permeability during germination, various technologies have been adopted. Among them, cold plasma technology has emerged as a developing and environmentally sustainable physical seed treatment method. Cold plasma, a non-destructive method using partially ionized gas with reactive species, offers benefits such as seed disinfection, pathogen elimination, enhanced seed metabolism and improved germination. However, challenges related to adaptability, cost-effectiveness and standardization remains. Ongoing research is needed to optimize its use for various seed types and conditions. Addressing these challenges requires continuous research and development to optimize cold plasma treatment for various seed types and environmental conditions. This paper provides the underlying mechanisms of cold plasma effects on seeds, highlighting its potential to expertise seed treatment practices for sustainable agriculture. Thus, cold plasma technology points as a promising avenue for enhancing seed quality, disease management and crop productivity in agriculture. By standardizing various treatments with cold plasma, it is possible to meet the challenges of the 21st century thereby minimizing the environmental impact and pave the way for sustainable agriculture, while making it efficient for commercial scale.