## 3 Results and Discussion
### Surface Imaging Using an Optical Microscope and SEM  
In order to emphasize the differences between two types of tested seeds and also the differences visible in the obtained results, the seeds' structures were described on the basis of the literature data, and microscopic analyses were performed. _Beta vulgaris_ belongs to the complex Eudicots, with a perispermic seed structure. In this case, water and oxygen penetration can be limited by thick, hard pericarp tissue surrounding the internal botanical seed. Morphologically, an ovary cap with the remnants of the stigma covers the pericarp's upper part. On the opposite side of the seed, the basal pore is located in a position that allows for water intake. Pericarp consists of three layers with different sizes of crystalized chemical compounds, which tend to be bigger with depth. The first of two dense internal sclerenchymal layers is formed of small, multilayer-wall scleredis, followed by the second layer of thinner cell wall scleredis with crystal clusters inside, and the rather loose parenchyma cells located externally. The analysis of water extract from the pericarp revealed predominating cations such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, chlorine, sulphur and anions with nitrate, phosphate, chloride and sulphate oxalate ions dominating, \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Species of Fungus** & **Control** & **NaOCl** & **GA5\({}^{\prime}\)** & **GA10\({}^{\prime}\)** & **GA20\({}^{\prime}\)** & **Total** \\ \hline _Alternaria alternata_ (Fr.) [PERSON]. & 49 & 0 & 48 & 48 & 48 & 193 \\ _Alternaria radicina_ [PERSON], [PERSON] \& [PERSON]. [PERSON] & 7 & 4 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 11 \\ _Aspergillus niger_ Tiegh & 2 & 6 & 2 & 0 & 2 & 12 \\ _Chaetomium codilides_ Palliser & 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 1 \\ _Cladosporium_ sp. & 0 & 15 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 15 \\ _Clonostachys rosea_ (Link) [PERSON] & 0 & 2 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 2 \\ _Epicoccum nigrum_ [PERSON] & 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 \\ _Fusarium avenaceum_ (Fr.) [PERSON]. & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 2 & 2 \\ _Mucor mucedo_ [PERSON]. & 0 & 0 & 0 & 2 & 0 & 2 \\ _Penicillium expansum_ Link & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 3 & 3 \\ _Stemphylinum botryosum_ [PERSON]. & 0 & 12 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 12 \\ _Trichoderma harzianum_ [PERSON] & 2 & 2 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 4 \\ _Trichoderma koningii_ [PERSON]. & 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 & 1 \\ Total & 60 & 42 & 51 & 51 & 55 & 259 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 6: Fungal species on _Daucus carota._which form the osmotic potential within pericarp, which may cause delays in the seed germination process [58; 59; 60; 61; 62; 63]. When using both the optical microscope and the scanning electron microscope (Figures 6 and 7), imaged samples are characterized by oval shaped parenchymal cells, of random size, with a very developed, concaved structure. The cells are not densely packed and intercellular spaces can be observed. After the PAW treatment, the structure became folded and wrinkled, and also revealed signs of rupture in comparison to the control sample. Changes are noticeable for PAW with 5 min of plasma treatment. On the other hand, besides the undulating structure, longer times resulted in the flattening of the outer edges of the cells. Carrot seeds are relatively small and they belong to the schizocarpic fruits. Their external layer is formed by a thin seed coat and it has overhanging beards. Pericarp is partially joined to the seed and consists of the epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp. The bulk of the seed incorporates thick-walled endosperm tissue embodying an embryo [64; 65; 66]. As shown in Figure 8, on the weavy-ribbed top structure of the coat, the distinctive elongating beards adjoined to the ribs are visible in the control sample. PAW treatment caused visible changes such as enhanced swelling of the ribs and removal of beards. Beard removal is also a common process during the scarification process of the carrot seeds, which takes place in order to enhance germination and to save space during the seed packaging process. Figure 6: Optical microscope images of _Beta vulgaris_ at 500\(\times\) magnification.