Growth enhancement effect of gene expression of plants induced by active oxygen species in oxygen plasma

Enhancements of germination and growth of plants are observed after oxygen plasma irradiation to seeds. 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 are one of the factors for the growth enhancement of plants. The observed growth enhancement effect is not passed on to the next generation by irradiating seeds, and there is no significant change in gene expressions in second-generation seeds. The observed growth enhancement of plants is brought about by epigenetics.