Effect of ellagic acid on growth and physiology of canola (Brassica napus L.) under saline conditions

Salinity stress is limiting growth and productivity of plants in many areas of the world. Plants adopted different strategies to minimize the effect of salt stress. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the morphological and physiological changes produced in Canola ( Brassica napus) by exogenous application of ellagic acid (EA) under saline conditions. EA is an antioxidant, expected to reduce the effect of salinity stress. The seeds of two canola cultivars, Rainbow and Oscar, were soaked for 6 h with different concentrations of EA (0, 55 and 110 mu g/ ml). The soaked seeds were sown in small pots. Salt stress was imposed on the plants by applying NaCl solutions of different concentrations (0, 60 and 120 mM) and the duration of stress was for four weeks. Salinity stress reduced seed germination and disturbed the morphological and physiological attributes of B. napus. Application of EA as seed soaking reduced the effect of salinity and enhanced the growth of plants. Overall, we could confirm a significant role of EA by inducing salinity tolerance in B. napus.