Low-pressure RF argon gas discharge was used for surface modification of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorium L.
semen) to increase the germination rate and activity and reduce the germination time. The results showed that plasmatreated
C. tinctorium L. semen has 50% higher germination rate, 100% increase in the activity and 24 h reduction in
germination time relativeto untreated. The effect of two different pressure plasma treatments at constant power and
exposure time were also investigated. The result showed that the low-pressure plasma treatment was a more effective
way to increase the germination rate at a smaller plasma treatment time. Using scanning electron microscope (SEM),
the surface structure of plasma-treated and untreated C. tinctorium L. semen has been characterised. The SEM
observations of Carthamii pericarpium and Hilum showed a change in the surface structure after plasma treatment. The
physical structure of Carthamii pericarpium after plasma treatment looks softer relative to untreated. The Hilum of
untreated C. tinctorium L. semen showed a very nice structure and boundary layer whereas after plasma treatment the
structure was modified