Hydration and pre-osmotic treatments on canola rape seeds (Brassica napus L.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate both hydration and pre-osmotic treatments on the quality of canola seeds. Seeds from three lots (lots I and 2 high vigour and lot 3 low vigour respectively) were treated with distilled water and -1.5MPa of osmotic potential in manitol solution for four periods of treatment (12, 24, 48 and 72 hours) at 10 degrees C. The treated seeds were set in a completely randomized design with six replications of 50 seeds. The seeds were evaluated by first germination test, final germination count and seedlings vigour classification. The pre-osmotic conditioning with manitol solution was not efficient in improving the germination and vigour of the rape seeds. However hydration in water was a suitable pre-germination treatment for seeds of this species and was effective in the low vigour lot.