Axillary root development triggered by cold plasma treatment

The use of atmospheric plasma as a tool is increasingly being explored in agriculture, particularly for its potential to enhance plant growth and germination. Axillary roots, which accumulate valuable medicinal secondary metabolites, are sought after by the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, we investigated the effects of atmospheric plasma treatment on the root tips of three plant species to elucidate its effect on root development. Plasma treatment on the root tip inhibited primary root growth while significantly promoting axillary root development. Plasma treatment on root tips caused DNA damage, which likely suppresses primary root growth. In contrast, plasma-mediated accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the root elongation zone may play a role in the development of a secondary meristem to facilitate axillary root formation. Taken together, our findings revealed that plasma treatment induced DNA damage and localized ROS accumulation, both of which likely enhance axillary root development. These results support a novel approach for enhancing root development in medicinal plants, offering potential applications for increasing the yield of valuable secondary metabolites.