Effect of Seed Priming by Zinc‐Ion and Zinc‐Oxide Nanoparticle Enriched Plasma‐Activated Water in Osmotic‐Stressed Arabidopsis thaliana

ABSTRACT This study provides the first evaluation of seed priming with Zn‐ion and Zn‐nanoparticle enriched plasma‐activated water (PAW) in Arabidopsis . Plasma treatment with metallic Zn mitigated acidification, stabilized nitrite alongside nitrate, and promoted Zn²⁺ release, whereas ZnO nanoparticles, applied at seed‐tolerated concentrations, created a less neutral environment favoring nitrite oxidation. PAW slightly altered seed‐coat structure and increased K⁺ efflux, indicating enhanced permeability, improved germination, and higher Zn uptake. Under osmotic stress, priming effects extended to seedlings, which showed increased NO levels, while PA(W+Zn) increased root H₂O₂. Despite reduced viability under stress, PAW enhanced cotyledon growth and stomatal formation, highlighting its potential to strengthen early stress responses.