Early growth effects on Arabidopsis thaliana by seed exposure of nanosecond pulsed electric field

Arabidopsis thaliana seeds were subjected to nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) to examine the growth effect. The exposures were carried out using electrical pulses of 10 ns duration with the field intensity varied from 5 to 20 kV cm−1. Statistical analysis on the average leaf area showed that the positive nsPEF effect appeared a few days after germination. It was also found that the effect was significant the second week following treatments, especially at 10 kV cm−1 with a maximum increase of 80% compared to the control (P < 0.01).

► We examine the physiological development of A. thaliana through seed nsPEF exposure. ► The positive effect appears early at the beginning of seedling germination period. ► An increase in the leaf area becomes evident 2 weeks after treated with 10 kV.cm-1.