YANG Chun-jie, ZHANG Xue-kun, ZOU Chong-shun, CHENG Yong, ZHENG Pu-ying, LI Gui-ying
CHINESE JOURNAL OF OIL CROP SCIENCES.
2007, 29(4):
425-430.
The effects of drought stress simulated by 10% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000) on physiological and biochemical traits of 14 rapeseed varieties (Brassica napus L.) were studied during germination stage. The results showed that relative vigor index of seedling varied between 0.32-0.79, and relative vigor index of 14 varieties was 0.49 on average. Drought stress affected significantly (P<0.01) seedling height, fresh weight and survival rate. Compared with control (water), 10% PEG-6000 treatment decreased seedling height by 40.68%, fresh weight by 34.2% and survival rate by 18% on average. Also, malomdiadehyde (MDA), soluble sugar, proline, soluble protein content, and electrical conductivity of rapeseed seedling increased significantly. Compared with control (water), 10% PEG-6000 treatment increased the content of MDA by 96.7%, soluble sugar by 75.0%, proline by 2204.9%, soluble protein by 56.2% and electrical conductivity by 34.8% on average. But there were not significant differences between PEG treatment and control on numbers of adventitious roots and length of taproot. The results indicated that relative vigor index could be used as the main index of drought tolerance in rapeseed during germination stage.