Effect of Cu(SO4) Stress and Plant Growth Regulators on Germination Characteristics and Biochemical Changes of Brassica napus

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid and gibberellic acid on germination characteristics and changes of proline, protein and catalase activity of Brassica napus seedlings under Cu(SO4) stress. The experimental design was factorial with complete randomized design as a base design with 3 replications. The first factor was 4 levels of Cu(SO4) stress (0, 10, 20 and 30 mg/l), and the second factor was 4 levels of priming with salicylic acid and gibberellic acid 50 mg/l, hydro prime and control (non-priming). Results showed that with increasing levels of Cu(SO4) stress, germination characteristics (germination percentage, germination rate, normal seedling percentage, seedling length and seed vigor index) reduced and using of salicylic acid, gibberellic acid and hydro prime increased germination characteristics. The highest germination percentage (94%), germination rate (30.75 seed per day), normal seedling percentage (86.17%) seedling length (10.53 cm) and seed vigor index (9.08) were attained from priming by salicylic acid 50 ppm under non stress conditions. Cu(SO4) stress increased proline (35%) and catalase (37%) activity but reduced protein (65%) and priming increased proline, protein and catalase activity as compared to unprimed under stress and control conditions. In this study, using priming treatment salicylic acid had usually higher germination characteristics and catalase activity, total proteins and proline content in comparison with untreated or control seeds.