Cold plasma treatment enhances oilseed rape seed germination under drought stress.
Effects of cold plasma treatment on seed germination, seedling growth, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation levels and osmotic-adjustment products of oilseed rape under drought stress were investigated in a drought-sensitive (Zhongshuang 7) and drought-tolerant cultivar (Zhongshuang 11). Results showed that, under drought stress, cold plasma treatment significantly improved the germination rate by 6.25% in Zhongshuang 7, and 4.44% in Zhongshuang 11. Seedling growth characteristics, including shoot and root dry weights, shoot and root lengths, and lateral root number, significantly increased after cold plasma treatment. The apparent contact angle was reduced by 30.38% in Zhongshuang 7 and 16.91% in Zhongshuang 11. Cold plasma treatment markedly raised superoxide dismutase and catalase activities by 17.71% and 16.52% in Zhongshuang 7, and by 13.00% and 13.21% in Zhongshuang 11. Moreover, cold plasma treatment significantly increased the soluble sugar and protein contents, but reduced the malondialdehyde content in seedlings. Our results suggested that cold plasma treatment improved oilseed rape drought tolerance by improving antioxidant enzyme activities, increasing osmotic-adjustment products, and reducing lipid peroxidation, especially in the drought-sensitive cultivar (Zhongshuang 7). Thus, cold plasma treatment can be used in an ameliorative way to improve germination and protect oilseed rape seedlings against damage caused by drought stress.
1] Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China [2] University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Li
L
Ling
Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
Li
L
Jiangang
1] Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China [2] University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Shen
S
Minchong
Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China.
Zhang
Z
Chunlei
Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
Dong
D
Yuanhua
D029741:Brassica rapa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D003080:Cold Temperature; D055864:Droughts; D018525:Germination; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D058626:Plasma Gases; D013312:Stress, Physiological
D002241:Carbohydrates; D010940:Plant Proteins; D058626:Plasma Gases; D008315:Malondialdehyde