COLD-PLASMA DEPOSITION TREATMENT OF SEEDS AND OTHER LIVING MATTER

摘要

Living matter such as seeds are treated by exposing the living matter to a cold plasma to form a plasma reacted deposit on the surfaces of the living matter. Plasma treatment can be carried out under conditions that do not significantly affect the viability of live seeds and other appropriate livin g matter, and can be carried out to maintain the moisture level within the see ds or even reduce moisture during the treatment process. In carrying out the process, gas is provided from a gas source from which the deposit may be formed by a plasma reaction. A cold plasma is ignited in the gas and the material is exposed to the plasma for a selected period of time to form a plasma reacted deposit on the exposed surfaces. The living material may be tumbled while exposed to the plasma process to allow the deposit to be forme d uniformly on the surfaces of the living matter.