## 3 Results and Discussion
Therefore, the inactivation of the endogenous microflora is crucial, as both bacteria and molds can adversely affect the germination process. The mean initial counts of TMAB and TMY in tomato seeds were 4.00 \(\pm\) 0.03 and 3.06 \(\pm\) 0.03 log CFU/g, respectively. Both TMAB and TMY counts were reduced to non-detectable levels following the application of 17.28 kV/cm. All PEF treatments resulted in significant reductions in the initial mean counts of TMAB and TMY (\(p\leq 0.05\)) (Table 8). \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline  & \multicolumn{3}{c}{**Germination Rate (\%) Under 200 mM NaCl Salt Stress**} \\ \hline
**Energy (J)** & **7 Days** & **8 Days** & **9 Days** & **10 Days** & **11 Days** & **12 Days** \\ \hline
0.00 & 0.00 \(\pm\) 0.00 \({}^{\text{bC}}\) & 0.00 \(\pm\) 0.00 \({}^{\text{cC}}\) & 0.00 \(\pm\) 0.00 \({}^{\text{gC}}\) & 0.00 \(\pm\) 0.00 \  
Seedling development and root formation are critical stages in the early growth of plants, laying the foundation for overall health, productivity, and resilience. A strong, healthy seedling with a well-developed root system is essential for efficient nutrient and water uptake, which directly influences the plant's growth rate, vigor, and ability to withstand environmental stressors, such as drought, pests, and disease. Proper root formation ensures a firm anchorage in the soil, reducing the risk of lodging or uprooting under adverse conditions. Additionally, the root system plays a key role in supporting the above-ground development by facilitating the absorption of essential nutrients necessary for photosynthesis and overall plant metabolism. An early and robust seedling growth increases the likelihood of higher yields, enabling the plant to reach its full genetic potential in terms of both productivity and quality [31]. The seedling development and root formation in both control and PEF-treated tomato seeds revealed that the number of seedlings was higher in the PEF-treated group, despite the same number of seeds being planted. The PEF-treated seedlings also exhibited a stronger growth, with thicker stems compared to the control samples (Figure 1). Additionally, they showed a more robust root formation than the control group (Figure 2). Germination studies under salt stress indicated that the number of germinated seedlings was higher in the PEF-treated group under both 100 mM and 200 mM salt stress conditions. Furthermore, PEF-treated seeds produced taller seedlings with a stronger structural development (Figures 3 and 4). \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Energy (J)** & **Total Mesophilic Aerobic Bacteria (log cfu/g)** & **Total Yeast and Mold (log cfu/g)** \\ \hline  
& 0.00 \(\pm\) 0.00 i \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} Note 1: Values in the same column with lowercase letters are statistically different (\(p\leq 0.05\)).  
\end{table} 
Table 8: Inactivation of natural microflora in control and PEF-treated tomato seeds. Figure 1: Cont. Figure 1: Seeding development in control and PE-treated tomato seeds. Figure 2: Conf. Figure 2: Cont. Figure 2: Root development in control and PEF-treated tomato seeds. Figure 3: Seeding formation of PEF-treated and control tomato seeds under 100 mM salt stress. Figure 4: Seeding formation of PEF-treated and control tomato seeds under 200 mM salt stress. The inactivation mechanism of the PEF treatment is explained by thermal effects, electroporation, and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The high-intensity PEF application leads to a temperature increase in and around the cell, which can cause the denaturation of cellular proteins and the disruption of the cell membrane structure. Electroporation occurs when the permeability of the cell membrane increases due to the application of an electric field. During this process, temporary pores form in the membrane, and if the electric field is strong enough, the damage becomes permanent, ultimately resulting in cell death [32; 33].