The possibilities of using non-thermal exposure methods to regulate the sowing properties of soft spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

There are many impacts of climate change on agriculture, many of which make it difficult to ensure global food security. Increasing yields and preserving grain crops is the main task of agriculture. Non-thermal methods of exposure (cold plasma) may become one of the possible methods of regulating seeding properties. Cold plasma (CP) is an ionized gas containing reactive oxygen species, nitrogen and other substances, which together exhibit a disinfecting effect. The purpose of this study is to study the effect of non-thermal effects of atmospheric cold plasma (from 30 seconds to 10 minutes) used to ensure the biosafety of the grain mass of soft spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on the preservation of its sowing properties. The objects of the study were batches of spring soft wheat grains of Trizo and Iren varieties. To identify optimal modes of exposure to cold plasma in wheat grain samples, quality indicators such as germination, germination energy, and assessment of biometric parameters of the plant's vegetative organs were evaluated. During the processing of experimental data on quality indicators in soft spring wheat varieties Trizo and Iren, the optimal mode of exposure to CP lasting 10 minutes was revealed. During the processing of wheat grains under different CP conditions, the length of the shoots and the root system varied. The variability of the duration of CP treatment of wheat grain has different effects. With global climate change, the use of cold plasma effects will improve the sowing properties of grain crops and ensure their biosafety.