Figure 1.

A comparison of plasma technology and conventional treatments with three factors affecting seed invigoration and seedling establishment: 1) seed scarification, 2) pathogen inactivation, and 3) enhanced cellular antioxidant systems. Seed scarification conventionally is done by acid treatment, heating, freeze-thawing, and mechanical scarifier. Plasma technology, as a particle bombardment or an oxidizing agent or both, can also be used for seed scarification at presowing. Additionally, plasma treatment, like other possible agents, can be applied at the early growth stage. Traditionally, synthetic chemicals have been commonly used for pathogen inactivation and antioxidant system activation.