Using Non-thermal Atmospheric Plasma for the Inactivation of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata on Beet (Beta vulgaris) Infected Seeds and Its Impact on the Seed Bacterial Microbiome

The seedborne phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata is the causal agent of bacterial leaf spot on beet and chard. Utilizing infested seeds could result in long-distance dissemination and total crop losses. Here we investigated the efficacy of non-thermal atmospheric plasma as a seed disinfestation method against P. syringae pv. aptata and its effect on the seed germination and bacterial microbiome. Our results suggest that the efficacy of non-thermal atmospheric plasma as a seed treatment against P. syringae pv. aptata is limited to the seed testa, and not the pericarp where the pathogen has less exposure to reactive oxygen species and UV radiation. In addition, had no significant effect on the overall beet seed bacterial microbiome composition. Non-thermal atmospheric plasma is a promising novel control strategy for bacterial seedborne pathogens, but further studies are required for its optimization and fully understand its potential as a seed disinfestation tool against P. syringae pv. aptata.