DNA microarray analysis of plant seeds irradiated by active oxygen species in oxygen plasma

Gene expressions in plant seeds irradiated by oxygen plasma were investigated using DNA microarray bioinformatics analysis to clarify the pathways responsible for growth enhancement of plants. Gene expressions involved in photosynthesis and energy production by active oxygen species in oxygen plasma affect the growth enhancement of plants. The growth enhancement effect is not passed on to the next generation, and there is no significant change in gene expression in second-generation seeds by the plasma irradiation. The observed growth enhancement of plants is brought about by epigenetics.