Studies On The Effects Of Diosgenin On Seedling Growth And Physio-Biochemical Basis In Rape

Diosgenin is steroid compound that is extracted from the tuber of Dioscorea L. It is a good material of synthesizing steroid medicines. Although the physiological effects of diosgenin on human and animals have been investigated widely, its physiological effects on plant have been ignored. Rape is an important oil crop in China. Here, the effects of diosgenin on seedling growth and its physio-biochemical basis in rape were investigated. The main results were as follows:1 Rape (Brassica napus L.) seeds were cultured in the solution containing diosgenin of different concentrations. The 0.5mg/L diosgenin increased prominently seed germination rates, the length of hypocotyls and the dry and fresh weight of leaf and stem.2 Rape seedlings were sprayed with 0.5mg/L diosgenin solution at thetwo-leaf and one-bud stage. The 0.5mg/L diosgenin promoted seedling growth. The seedling height and the leaf area increased after treatments.3 Rape seeds were cultured in the solution containing diosgenin of different concentrations. The different concentrations of diosgenin affected metabolism of rape seedlings, particularly at a concentration of 0.5mg/L. The treatments of 0.5mg/L diosgenin increased prominently the contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein and the activity of peroxidase, catalase, Ca2+ - ATPase in rape cotyledons.4 Rape seedlings were sprayed with 0.5mg/L diosgenin solution at the two-leaf and one-bud stage. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was used to determine the contents of endogenous hormones. The contents of endogenous IAA, GA increased comparing with the control.