Seed vigor and boron and calcium nutrition influence oilseed rape germinability and seedling growth under salt stress

The beneficial effects of boron (B) and calcium (Ca) nutrition on pea seed germinability under salinity stress have recently been shown. However, nothing is known about the influence of seed vigor status on these results, especially in oilseed rape as an important oil crop worldwide. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of seed vigor, boron and calcium nutrition on seed germinability, seedling growth, and some biochemical characteristics of oilseed rape seedlings under salinity. In spite of promotive effects of application of both boron and calcium nutrition on oilseed rape germinability and seedling growth, there was a more significant promotion on germination rate of high vigor seeds. Proline content and guaiacol peroxidase activity of seedlings were significantly increased by adding supplemental boron to the medium compared to the control. Finally, it can be concluded that boron and calcium nutrition would improve the salt tolerance capability of oilseed rape seedlings from vigorous seeds, at least in the early plant development.