University of Isfahan Journal of Plant Biological Sciences 3041-9603 16 3 2024 09 22 The effect of atmospheric cold plasma and cadmium stress on germination and biochemical indices of different quinoa genotypes The effect of atmospheric cold plasma and cadmium stress on germination and biochemical indices of different quinoa genotypes 49 78 29748 10.22108/ijpb.2025.145113.1407 FA Salim Farzaneh 1 Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Fatemeh Mahmoudi Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Journal Article 2025 05 03 One of the technologies used to improve seed germination is the use of cold plasma. To investigate the effect of atmospheric cold plasma and cadmium stress on the germination and biochemical indices of different quinoa genotypes, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. The experimental treatments included cadmium concentrations at three levels (zero (control), 50, and 150 mg/L), cold plasma duration at three levels (0 (control), 10, and 30 seconds), and quinoa genotypes at three levels (Titicaca, Q26, and Giza). The results showed that as stress intensity increased, the average germination percentage and rate, as well as the dry weight and length of quinoa seedlings, decreased. Overall, it appears that among the studied cultivars, the Q26 cultivar yielded better results compared to the other cultivars. Additionally, 30 seconds of cold plasma treatment had the most positive effect on the germination and seedling growth of quinoa cultivars under different levels of cadmium stress, increasing seed and seedling vigor, and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Introduction Heavy metal stress is one of the most critical abiotic factors that has garnered considerable attention over the last 30 years. Heavy metal is any element that exhibits a high density and exerts its lethal effects even when present in small amounts. Quinoa is a multipurpose plant that has recently been incorporated into the human diet as a substitute for animal products, serving as a source of protein. With the increasing world population, there is a need to provide more food. On the other hand, the role of new technologies in increasing health and production has a significant contribution. Plasma is often referred to as the fourth state of matter. The energy level rises from solid to liquid and gas, and finally to the ionized state of plasma. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) has garnered increasing attention in recent years for its applications in biomedical, environmental, and agricultural fields. A wide range of effects of cold plasma treatment is observed in agricultural applications, including its impact on seed germination and seedling growth. Considering the importance of quinoa and the problems in the field of germination and seedling growth (due to the sensitivity and criticality of these stages), the use of the cold plasma technique in quinoa can be considered one of the solutions that can directly and indirectly improve germination and seedling establishment under heavy metal stress conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of atmospheric cold plasma and cadmium stress on germination and biochemical indices of different quinoa genotypes. Materials and Methods The experimental treatments included cadmium concentrations at three levels (zero (control), 50, and 150 mg/L), cold plasma duration at three levels (zero (control), 10, and 30 seconds), and quinoa genotypes at three levels (Titicaca, Q26, and Giza). The quinoa seeds used in this study were the varieties T-T Kaka, Q26, and Giza (with a seed purity of 99%, a germination rate of 95%, and a thousand-seed weight of 2.6 g), purchased from Pakan Seed Company, Isfahan. Before applying the treatments, the seeds were disinfected with 2% sodium hypochlorite for one minute and then washed with distilled water. For the atmospheric cold plasma treatment, the seeds were exposed to cold argon (Ar) plasma for 10 and 30 seconds. Cold plasma device (DBD): The distance between the dielectrics was 3 mm. Argon was used as a functional gas between the dielectrics. After cold plasma treatment, the seeds were transferred to Petri dishes for germination testing. To perform the germination test, 50 quinoa seeds were randomly placed in three replicates in the Petri dishes using the top of paper method, and based on the desired treatments, cadmium solutions at concentrations of 50 and 150 mg/L were added to the Petri dishes (distilled water was used for the control treatment). The samples were then transferred to a germination chamber at 20°C and kept in this condition for 10 days. The method of Chang & Koa (1988) was used to prepare the enzyme extract. The activity of the catalase enzyme was measured according to the method of Aebi (1984), and the peroxidase enzyme was measured according to the method of Chanec Maehly & (1955), based on the formation of tetraguaiacol from guaiacol in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and guaiacol enzyme. The activity of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme was measured by the method of Kar & Mishra (1955). Statistical analysis of data was done using SAS 9.4 statistical software. The normality of data distribution was evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The comparison of means was done using Duncan's multiple range test at the 5% probability level. Excel software was used to draw graphs. Results and Discussion The results showed that as stress intensity increased, the average germination percentage and rate, as well as the dry weight and length of quinoa seedlings, decreased. In non-stressed conditions, the germination percentage and rate, and dry weight of seedlings obtained from seeds pretreated with cold plasma in the Q26 cultivar were significantly higher than those of the control seeds. Additionally, the duration of cold plasma treatment increased the traits of germination percentage, germination rate, average germination percentage, seedling length, and dry weight, as well as catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase enzyme activities, saponin, and proline content. However, it decreased the average germination duration and time to 90% germination. Treatment of seeds with cold plasma for 30 seconds increased the seedling length by 53.79% compared to the control treatment. In all the traits studied, the Q26 cultivar was superior to the Titicaca and Giza cultivars. Conclusion Overall, it appears that among the studied cultivars, the Q26 cultivar yielded better results compared to the other cultivars. Additionally, 30 seconds of cold plasma treatment had the most positive effect on the germination and seedling growth of quinoa cultivars under different levels of cadmium stress, increasing seed and seedling vigor, and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. One of the technologies used to improve seed germination is the use of cold plasma. To investigate the effect of atmospheric cold plasma and cadmium stress on the germination and biochemical indices of different quinoa genotypes, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. The experimental treatments included cadmium concentrations at three levels (zero (control), 50, and 150 mg/L), cold plasma duration at three levels (0 (control), 10, and 30 seconds), and quinoa genotypes at three levels (Titicaca, Q26, and Giza). The results showed that as stress intensity increased, the average germination percentage and rate, as well as the dry weight and length of quinoa seedlings, decreased. Overall, it appears that among the studied cultivars, the Q26 cultivar yielded better results compared to the other cultivars. Additionally, 30 seconds of cold plasma treatment had the most positive effect on the germination and seedling growth of quinoa cultivars under different levels of cadmium stress, increasing seed and seedling vigor, and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Introduction Heavy metal stress is one of the most critical abiotic factors that has garnered considerable attention over the last 30 years. Heavy metal is any element that exhibits a high density and exerts its lethal effects even when present in small amounts. Quinoa is a multipurpose plant that has recently been incorporated into the human diet as a substitute for animal products, serving as a source of protein. With the increasing world population, there is a need to provide more food. On the other hand, the role of new technologies in increasing health and production has a significant contribution. Plasma is often referred to as the fourth state of matter. The energy level rises from solid to liquid and gas, and finally to the ionized state of plasma. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) has garnered increasing attention in recent years for its applications in biomedical, environmental, and agricultural fields. A wide range of effects of cold plasma treatment is observed in agricultural applications, including its impact on seed germination and seedling growth. Considering the importance of quinoa and the problems in the field of germination and seedling growth (due to the sensitivity and criticality of these stages), the use of the cold plasma technique in quinoa can be considered one of the solutions that can directly and indirectly improve germination and seedling establishment under heavy metal stress conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of atmospheric cold plasma and cadmium stress on germination and biochemical indices of different quinoa genotypes. Materials and Methods The experimental treatments included cadmium concentrations at three levels (zero (control), 50, and 150 mg/L), cold plasma duration at three levels (zero (control), 10, and 30 seconds), and quinoa genotypes at three levels (Titicaca, Q26, and Giza). The quinoa seeds used in this study were the varieties T-T Kaka, Q26, and Giza (with a seed purity of 99%, a germination rate of 95%, and a thousand-seed weight of 2.6 g), purchased from Pakan Seed Company, Isfahan. Before applying the treatments, the seeds were disinfected with 2% sodium hypochlorite for one minute and then washed with distilled water. For the atmospheric cold plasma treatment, the seeds were exposed to cold argon (Ar) plasma for 10 and 30 seconds. Cold plasma device (DBD): The distance between the dielectrics was 3 mm. Argon was used as a functional gas between the dielectrics. After cold plasma treatment, the seeds were transferred to Petri dishes for germination testing. To perform the germination test, 50 quinoa seeds were randomly placed in three replicates in the Petri dishes using the top of paper method, and based on the desired treatments, cadmium solutions at concentrations of 50 and 150 mg/L were added to the Petri dishes (distilled water was used for the control treatment). The samples were then transferred to a germination chamber at 20°C and kept in this condition for 10 days. The method of Chang & Koa (1988) was used to prepare the enzyme extract. The activity of the catalase enzyme was measured according to the method of Aebi (1984), and the peroxidase enzyme was measured according to the method of Chanec Maehly & (1955), based on the formation of tetraguaiacol from guaiacol in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and guaiacol enzyme. The activity of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme was measured by the method of Kar & Mishra (1955). Statistical analysis of data was done using SAS 9.4 statistical software. The normality of data distribution was evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The comparison of means was done using Duncan's multiple range test at the 5% probability level. Excel software was used to draw graphs. Results and Discussion The results showed that as stress intensity increased, the average germination percentage and rate, as well as the dry weight and length of quinoa seedlings, decreased. In non-stressed conditions, the germination percentage and rate, and dry weight of seedlings obtained from seeds pretreated with cold plasma in the Q26 cultivar were significantly higher than those of the control seeds. Additionally, the duration of cold plasma treatment increased the traits of germination percentage, germination rate, average germination percentage, seedling length, and dry weight, as well as catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase enzyme activities, saponin, and proline content. However, it decreased the average germination duration and time to 90% germination. Treatment of seeds with cold plasma for 30 seconds increased the seedling length by 53.79% compared to the control treatment. In all the traits studied, the Q26 cultivar was superior to the Titicaca and Giza cultivars. Conclusion Overall, it appears that among the studied cultivars, the Q26 cultivar yielded better results compared to the other cultivars. Additionally, 30 seconds of cold plasma treatment had the most positive effect on the germination and seedling growth of quinoa cultivars under different levels of cadmium stress, increasing seed and seedling vigor, and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

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