Effect of Seed Priming by Zinc-Ion and Zinc-Oxide Nanoparticle Enriched Plasma-Activated Water in Osmotic-Stressed Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

This study provides the first evaluation of seed priming with Zn-ion and Zn-nanoparticle enriched plasma-activated water (PAW) in Arabidopsis. Plasma treatment with metallic Zn mitigated acidification, stabilized nitrite alongside nitrate, and promoted Zn²⁺ release, whereas ZnO nanoparticles, applied at seed-tolerated concentrations, created a less neutral environment favoring nitrite oxidation. PAW slightly altered seed-coat structure and increased K⁺ efflux, indicating enhanced permeability, improved germination, and higher Zn uptake. Under osmotic stress, priming effects extended to seedlings, which showed increased NO levels, while PA(W+Zn) increased root H₂O₂. Despite reduced viability under stress, PAW enhanced cotyledon growth and stomatal formation, highlighting its potential to strengthen early stress responses.