Changes in silver birch biochemical profiles and leaf-associated fungi across genetic markers induced by seed treatment with DBD plasma

• Pre-sowing treatment of tree seeds with DBD plasma enhances the accumulation of biochemical compounds associated with resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. • The genetic characteristics of the tree species strongly influence the effectiveness of DBD plasma seed treatment. • DBD plasma seed treatment has the potential to significantly reduce the abundance of dominant fungal pathogens in silver birch seedlings. • Pre-sowing seed treatment with DBD plasma holds promise for the development of innovative forestry technologies aimed at improving tree resilience to biotic and abiotic stress factors. New approaches are needed in the forestry sector to improve tree resistance to various biotic and abiotic stress factors and mitigate their negative impacts on forest health. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of seed treatment with the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma on the changes in biochemical processes and fungal communities of silver birch ( Betula pendula Roth.), considering tree half-sib families. The potential of DBD plasma treatment for the modulation of birch seedling properties was estimated in seven selected half-sib families by analysis of the composition of biochemical compounds (from first and second vegetation leaf samples) and fungal communities (from second vegetation leaf samples). Seed treatment with DBD plasma has potential to enhance bioactive compounds, reduce fungal pathogens, thereby improving silver birch seedling traits. The families 73 and 86 demonstrated the most distinct responses to 2-minute-DBD plasma treatment. The activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, APX, and GR) increased by ∼ 50 % in the 73 family (the first vegetation), and by ∼ 39 % in the 86 family (the second vegetation). The increase in flavonoid (by ∼44 % in the first vegetation and by ∼30 % in the second vegetation) and photosynthetic pigment amounts (by ∼ 55 % in the first vegetation and by ∼ 60 % in the second vegetation) was also determined. The family 86 exhibited a reduced relative abundance of the most abundant pathogen, Phyllactinia betulae . In the current study, the effect of silver birch seed treatment with DBD plasma on leaf samples was investigated at multiple levels, including biochemical, metagenomic, and genetic aspects.