Genome-wide and candidate gene association studies identify BnPAP17 as conferring the utilization of organic phosphorus in oilseed rape

Phosphorus(P)is essential for living plants,and P deficiency is one of the key factors limiting the yield in rapeseed production worldwide.As the most important organ for plants,root morphology traits(RMTs)play a key role in P absorption.To investigate the genetic variability of RMT under low P availability,we dissected the genetic structure of RMTs by genome-wide association studies(GWAS),linkage mapping and candidate gene association studies(CGAS).A total of 52 suggestive loci were associated with RMTs under P stress conditions in 405 oilseed rape accessions.The purple acid phosphatase gene BnPAP17 was found to control the lateral root number(LRN)and root dry weight(RDW)under low P stress.The expression of BnPAP17 was increased in shoot tissue in P-efficient cultivars compared to root tissue and P-inefficient cultivars in response to low P stress.Moreover,the haplotype of BnPAP17^(Hap3)was detected for the selective breeding of P efficiency in oilseed rape.Over-expression of the BnPAP17^(Hap3)could promote the shoot and root growth with enhanced tolerance to low P stress and organic phosphorus(Po)utilization in oilseed rape.Collectively,these findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BnPAP17-mediated low P stress tolerance in oilseed rape.

Biotechnology ofα-linolenic acid in oilseed rape(Brassica napus)using FAD2 and FAD3 from chia(Salvia hispanica)

α-Linolenic acid(ALA,18:3Δ9,12,15)is an essential fatty acid for humans since it is the precursor for the biosynthesis of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids(LC-PUFA).Modern people generally suffer from deficiency of ALA because most staple food oils are low or lack ALA content.Biotechnological enrichment of ALA in staple oil crops is a promising strategy.Chia(Salvia hispanica)has the highest ALA content in its seed oil among known oil crops.In this study,the FAD2 and FAD3 genes from chia were engineered into a staple oil crop,oilseed rape(Brassica napus),via Agrobaterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of their LP4-2A fusion gene construct driven by the seed-specific promoter P_(NapA).In seeds of T0,T1,and T2 lines,the average ALA contents were 20.86,23.54,and 24.92%,respectively,which were 2.21,2.68,and 3.03 folds of the non-transformed controls(9.42,8.78,and 8.22%),respectively.The highest seed ALA levels of T0,T1,and T2 plants were 38.41,35.98,and 39.19%respectively,which were 4.10-4.77 folds of the respective controls.FA-pathway enzyme genes(BnACCD,BnFATA,BnSAD,BnSCD,BnDGAT1,BnDGAT2,and BnDGAT3)and positive regulatory genes(BnWRI1,BnLEC1,BnL1L,BnLEC2,BnABI3,BnbZIP67,and BnMYB96)were all significantly up-regulated.In contrast,BnTT1,BnTT2,BnTT8,BnTT16,BnTTG1,and BnTTG2,encoding negative oil accumulation regulators but positive secondary metabolism regulators,were all significantly down-regulated.This means the foreign ShFAD2-ShFAD3 fusion gene,directly and indirectly,remodeled both positive and negative loci of the whole FA-related network in transgenic B.napus seeds.

Chloroplast Composition and Structural Differences in a Chlorophyll-reduced Mutant of Oilseed Rape Seedlings

对黄化突变体Cr352 9和野生型油菜 (BrassicanapusL .) 352 9叶绿体的超微结构和组成进行了比较。与野生型相比 ,突变体Cr352 9叶片具有较少的类囊体、较少的垛叠膜区和较少的叶绿素含量。突变体的Chla/Chlb比值较高 ,是野生型的 2倍。电泳结果表明 ,突变体类囊体膜中LHCⅡ和其三聚体LHCⅡ 的含量减少。SDS_PAGE分析显示 ,LHCⅡ的脱辅基蛋白在突变体类囊体膜中明显减少。免疫印迹进一步表明 ,所有LHCⅡ组分的含量仅为野生油菜的类囊体膜的 1 / 3。突变体Cr352 9的天线系统比野生型 352 9的小。

Dynamics of Essential Metal Elements Contents in Winter Oilseed Rape during Cold Acclimation

[Objective]The paper was to investigate the dynamics of essential metal elements（Ca,Mg,Fe,Mn,Zn and Cu）contents in winter oilseed rape（Brassica napus L.）during cold acclimation,and to reveal the effects and mechanisms of essential elements in cold resistance of oilseed rape.[Method]Three varieties with different cold resistance including Zhongshuang No.11（ZS,freezing sensitive variety）,Ganyouza No.1（GY）and Jinyuyou No.1（JYY,freezing tolerant varieties）were used in the study,and the changes of necessary metal elements in these oilseed rapes during cold acclimation were studied.[Result]The concentration of metal elements in oilseed rape had significant changes during cold acclimation,and the difference between varieties was significant.In plant roots,the concentrations of Ca,Mg,Fe,Mn,Zn and Cu were significantly increased,this might because that low temperature made the transpiration decreased,thus blocking the upward transport of elements.In plant shoots,the concentrations of Ca,Mg and Zn were significantly decreased,while the concentrations of Fe and Mn were significantly increased;the change extent of various elements in ZS variety was the largest.[Conclusion]Maintaining the stability of Ca,Mg and Zn concentrations and increasing Fe,Mn and Cu concentrations in plant shoots might be benefit for increasing the cold tolerance of winter oilseed rape.

Effects of Spraying KCl Solution on Photosynthate and Grain Yield and Quality of Oilseed Rape(Brassica napus L.)

[Objective] In order to seek the way of high quality and high yield of oilseed rape.[Method] Soil culture experiment was used in this research.1% （mass fraction） KCl solution was sprayed to the stems and leaves of oilseed rape in full blooming stage while 1.17% （mass fraction） K2SO4 solution and clear water were used for comparison,sampling in initial silique stage and harvest stage were conducted to detect photosynthate,soluble sugar and free amino acids content.[Result] The results showed that compared with spraying clear water,spraying KCl solution increased the contents of chlorophyll a in functional leaves,the contents of free amino acids and soluble sugar in leaves,stems and silique,and the total amounts of them all in initial silique stage but decreased the contents of free amino acids and soluble sugar in leaves and stems,and the total amounts of them all in harvesting stage,increased the average grain yield 10.20%,increased the average contents of oil,oleinic acid and linoleic acid in rapeseed 4.40%,10.60% and 11.40% respectively,decreased the content of protein,erucic acid and glucosinolate in rapeseed 5.10%,9.70% and 3.70% respectively.No significant difference between spraying K2SO4 solution and spraying clear water,significant difference between them all and spraying KCl solution.[Conclusion] The experimental results provided theoretical basis for increasing oilseed rape yield and quality researches.

ALA Altered ABA Content of Winter Oilseed Rape(Brassica napus L.)Seedling

[Objective] The paper was to explore the impact of 5-aminolevunic acid（ALA）treatment on growth of winter oilseed rape（Brassica napus L.）seedlings and its mechanism.[Method] The effects of ALA on abscisic acid（ABA）contents in plant organs and xylem saps were investigated through hydroponic experiment.Four treatments including seed soaking with 0,25,50 and 75 mg/L ALA solutions（CK,A1,A2 and A3）for 6 h were set in the test.[Result] In addition to A3 treatment which made the dry weights of oilseed rape seedlings slightly decrease,after seed soaking with ALA,dry weights,net photosynthetic rate（Pn）,transpiration rate（Tr）and stomatal conductance（Gs）of plants significantly increased compared with control.ABA concentrations in plant shoots and xylem saps increased in different levels after seed soaking with ALA.[Conclusion] The increasing endogenous ABA contents might be an explanation for promotion effect of ALA application on the growth of winter oilseed rape seedling.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on the Growth and N Uptake of Late-sowing Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

[Objective] The aim of this work was to analyze the N fertilization on the vegetative growth and N uptake of different winter rapeseed varieties at wintering stage. [Method] In two consecutive years （2009-2011）, two winter rapeseed varieties （B. napus L.）, an early maturity variety Zhongyou 116 （ZY116） and a middle-late application maturity variety Zhongyouza 12 （ZYZ12） were employed. Field experiments with different N levels （0, 90, 180, 270, 360 kg N/hm 2 ） were designed. At the wintering stage, the dry matter weight, the nitrogen content and concentration of plants, leaf nitrate reductase activity （NRA） and seed yields were investigated. [Result] The shoot dry matter of ZY116 increased rapidly when N rate ranged from 0 to 180 kg/hm 2 , and it raised slightly when N rate ranged from 180 to 360 kg/hm 2 . The shoot dry matter of ZYZ12 were changed in a single peak curve; the peak of shoot dry matter appeared at 270 kg N/hm 2 . The N concentration and N content in shoot and root increased rapidly when the N rate changed from 90 to 180 kg/hm 2 . Moreover, the N concentration and N content root of in ZYZ12 were much higher than that of ZY116. Present study revealed that the changed trend of leaf nitrate reductase activities （NRA） were significantly increased at the N rate of 180 kg/hm 2 in ZY116 and ZYZ12 compared with the N rate of 90 kg/hm 2 in two years. [Conclusion] Optimal nitrogen application significantly increased the dry weights and N uptake at wintering stage as well as increasing the yield of winter oilseed rape.

The Effect of Planting Oilseed Rape and Compost Application on Heavy Metal Forms in Soil and Cd and Pb Uptake in Rice

Pot experiments were conducted under greenhouse condition to investigate whether Cd and Pb uptake by rice could be reduced when it was rotated with oilseed rape and compost application.The results showed that the rice grown after oilseed rape had significantly lower Cd and Pb concentrations in both straw and grains.Cd and Pb concentrations in the grains of the rice rotated with oilseed rape decreased by approximately 46-80% and 17-86%,respectively,although the Cd and Pb removal by oilseed rape ranged only from 2.39-3.67 and 0.032-0.13% of the total content in soil.Compost amendment also decreased the bioavailability of Cd and Pb in the soil and reduced Cd and Pb uptake by oilseed rapes and rice.The concentrations of Cd and Pb significantly decreased in the exchangeable and carbonate fractions and Pb concentration decreased in the organic matter and sulfide fractions in the contaminated soil after planting oilseed rapes.

Nutrient deficiency limits population development,yield formation,and nutrient uptake of direct sown winter oilseed rape

Direct-sowing establishment method has great significance in improving winter oilseed rape（Brassica napus L.） production and guaranteeing edible oil security in China. However, nutrient responses on direct sown winter oilseed rape（DOR） performance and population development dynamic are still not well understood. Therefore, five on-farm experiments were conducted in the reaches of the Yangtze River（RYR） to determine the effects of nitrogen（N）, phosphorus（P）, and potassium（K） deficiencies on population density, dry matter production, nutrient uptake, seed yield, and yield components of DOR plants. Four fertilization treatments included the balanced NPK application treatment（NPK, 180 kg N, 39.3 kg P, 100 kg K, and 1.8 kg borax ha–1） and three nutrient deficiency treatments based on the NPK treatment, i.e., –N, –P, and –K. The results indicated that DOR population density declined gradually throughout the growing season, especially at over-wintering and pod-development stages. Nutrient deficiency decreased nutrient concentration in DOR plants, limited dry matter production and nutrient uptake, and thereby exacerbated density reduction during plants growth. The poor individual growth and reduced population density together decreased seed yield in the nutrient deficiency treatment. Averaged across all the experiments, seed yield reduced 61% by N deficiency, 38.3% by P deficiency, and 14.4% by K deficiency. The negative effects of nutrient deficiency on DOR performances followed the order of –N–P–K, and the effects were various among different nutrient deficiencies. Although N deficiency improved DOR emergence, but it seriously limited dry matter production and nutrient uptake, which in turn led to substantial plants death and therefore resulted in a very low harvested density. The P deficiency significantly reduced initial density, limited plants growth, and exacerbated density reduction. The K deficiency mainly decreased individual growth and yield, but did not affect density dynamic. Our results highlighted the importance of balanced NPK application in DOR production, suggesting that management strategy of these nutrients should be comprehensively considered with an aim to build an appropriate population structure with balanced plant density and individual growth.

Characteristics of Cd uptake and accumulation in two Cd accumulator oilseed rape species

Two pot experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions to investigate the characteristics of Cd uptake and accumulation by two Cd accumulator oilseed rape varieties and one Indian mustard grown on a loamy soil that had been artificially contaminated by different amounts of CdSO\-4(0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 mg/kg soil). The relationship between shoot Cd uptake of the two oilseed rape cultivars and the soil Cd concentrations could be simulated via quadratic equations. The curve showed that maximum shoot Cd uptake of Indian mustard was 314.7 μg/pot at soil Cd concentration of 87.8 mg/kg, while maximum uptake of the variety Xikou Huazi was 543.3 μg/pot at soil Cd concentration of 69.1 mg/kg and that of the variety Zhongyou Za-1hao was 576.7 μg/pot at soil Cd concentration of 84.0 mg/kg, suggesting that shoot Cd uptake ability of the two Cd accumulator oilseed rapes was significantly higher than that of the Indian mustard. Xikou Huazi had higher phytoremediation potential for Cd contaminated soil. Shoot Cd accumulation ability of the two Cd accumulator oilseed rapes was correspond and Cd was easier translocated to the shoot than hyperaccumulator Indian mustard as comparation plant. Shoot Cd distribution pattern showed consistent and significant reduction from older leaves to younger ones of two oilseed rapes and Indian mustard. Cd uptake by oilseed rapes in growth prophase was higher than that of growth anaphase.

Mechanical Harvesting Effects on Seed Yield Loss,Quality Traits and Profitability of Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

China is one of the most important rapeseed producing countries in the world. Effective mechanical harvesting time for decreasing harvesting loss of winter oilseed rape has been becoming a critical factor. An elite cultivar Zhongshuang 11 （Brassica napus L.） was employed in two rounds of field experiments from 2009 to 2011. Seeds were sown with machine, three combine harvesting times namely combine harvesting A, B, and C （CHA, CHB, and CHC） were designed and manual harvesting （MH） as control was performed at maturity. The harvesting treatments were determined according to color of pod and seed in the field. Seed yield loss and quality in different treatments were evaluated. Results showed that both seed yields and harvesting losses in 2009-2010 were higher than that in 2010-2011, whereas seed oil contents in 2010-2011 were higher than that in 2009-2010. The highest yield appeared in CHB, which was significantly higher than that in MH. Furthermore, harvesting loss in CHB were 50% that in MH. Seed oil content and chlorophyll exhibited no obvious difference between CHB and MH. Economic profit analysis demonstrated that mechanical sowing/combine harvesting （MS/CH） showed an input/output ratio of 1：1.6, and it was 1：1.2 in mechanical sowing/manual harvesting （MS/MH）. Labor-cost accounted for more than 70% of the total cost in MS/MH, which led to low profitability to a great extent. Our results suggested that CHB was the optimum harvesting time for winter oilseed rape along the Yangtze River.

Mechanisms of Difference in Mn Efficiency Between Wheat and Oilseed Rape

By solution culture experiment, three wheat genotypes (Ttiticum aestivum L.) and two oilseed rape genotypes (Brassica napus L.) differing in Mn efficiency under Mn-deficient conditions were used to study mechanisms of the difference in Mn efficiency between wheat and oilseed rape. The results showed that there were significant differences in the abilities of MnIV reduction and acidification in root rhizosphere between the two species. Compared with wheat, oilseed rape had much higher reducing capacity and intensity of rhizosphere acidification under Mn-deficient conditions. Moreover, the higher ratio of functional leaves Mn/old leaves Mn in oilseed rape than in wheat was also an important factor for the different Mn efficiencies between the two species.

Critical Range of Soil Boron for Prognosis of Boron Deficiency in Oilseed Rape

Relationships between seed yields of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and extractable boron concentrations in three soil layers (A, P and W) were investigated through ten experiments on three types of soils (Alluvic Entisols, Udic Ferrisols and Stagnic Anthrosols) in northern, western and middle Zhejiang Province. Among several mathematical models used to described the relationships, the polynomial equation, y = a + bx + cx2 + dx3, where y is the yield of oilseed rape seed and x the extractable boron concentration in P layer of soil, was the best one. The critical range of the concentrations corresponding to 90% of the maximum oilseed rape yield was 0.40-0.52 mg kg-1. The extractable boron concentration of the P layers of the soils was the most stable. The critical range determined was verified through the production practices of oilseed rape in Zhejiang and Anhui provinces.

Effect of Neodymium on Physiological Activities in Oilseed Rape during Calcium Starvation

It was reported that rare earth elements promote plant growth and other physiological activities. Since the ion radius of Nd3+ is very close to that of Ca2+, the interaction between Nd and Ca might be one of the important mechanisms to be understand. Seedlings treated with 3 Umol·T, -1 Nd(NO3)3 in Ca2+ -deficient solution, and the effect of Nd on their membrane damage in oilseed rape(Brassica napus L.) was studied. It shows that the symptom of Ca-starvation is relieved and the peroxidation process in rape is inhibited. It indicates that adding Nd can lower relative permeability of the root and MDA content in leaves and increase CAT, POD, and SOD activities in rape. Likewise, the Nd addition to Hoagland solution shags similar result. The interpretation is that the effect is a consequence of substitution of Nd function for some Ca function through interacting with cellular membrane.

Cadmium uptake and speciation changes in the rhizosphere of cadmium accumulator and non-accumulator oilseed rape varieties

Characteristics of cadmium （Cd） uptake kinetics and distribution of Cd speciation in the rhizosphere for Cd accumulator and nonaccumulator oilseed rape varieties were investigated under nutrient solution and rhizobox soil culture conditions. The results showed that the maximal influx （Vmax） for Cd^2＋ and Km were significantly different for the two oilseed rape varieties. The value of Vmax for Cd accumulator oilseed rape Zhucang Huazi was two-fold greater than that for oilseed rape Chuan you Ⅱ-93. The exchangeable Cd concentration in the rhizosphere was significantly lower than in non-rhizospheric soils supplemented with CdSO4 for both the varieties. Carbonate-bound Cd in the rhizosphere of Cd accumulator oilseed rape was significantly higher than that in the rhizosphere of nonaccumulator oilseed rape and non-rhizospheric soil. Cd accumulator oilseed rape had a higher Cd^2＋ affinity and more ability to uptake insoluble Cd in the soil than the non-accumulator oilseed rape.

Distribution of cadmium in oilseed rape and Indian mustard grown on cadmium contaminated soil

Heavy metal distribution in the specialized accumulating plants was important for phytoextraction technique. Hydroponic and pot experiment were conducted to investigated Cd phytoextraction ability and Cd distribution in the plant of oilseed rape species. The results showed that oilseed rape Chuanyou Ⅱ-10 was more effective in phytoexetraction Cd among 21 varieties of oilseed rape and indicator plant Indian mustard. Cd concentration in the shoot of Chuanyou Ⅱ-10 and Indian mustard gradually decreased with an increase in growth period, while the amount of Cd uptake increased with the increase of growth period. There was constantly decrease in Cd concentration from the base leaves to the top leaves of Chuanyou Ⅱ-10 and Indian mustard, the percentages of Cd uptake in older leaves were higher than those of younger leaves. Older leaves of Chuanyou Ⅱ-10 and Indian mustard extracted more Cd for the Cd contamination soil, leaves should as far as possible develop before they reached the soil and the older leaves were harvested in priority.

Utilizing comprehensive decision analysis methods to determine an optimal planting pattern and nitrogen application for winter oilseed rape

Oilseed rape is one of the most important oil crops globally.Attaining the appropriate cultivation method(planting pattern and nitrogen level)is necessary to achieve high yield,quality and resource utilization efficiency.However,the optimal method for oilseed rape varies across countries and regions.The objective of the present study was to determine an appropriate cultivation method,including planting pattern and nitrogen application,for winter oilseed rape in northwestern China.Two planting patterns:ridge film mulching and furrow planting(RFMF)and flat planting(FP),and six nitrogen(N)amounts:0(N0),60(N60),120(N120),180(N180),240(N240),and 300(N300)kg N ha–1 were applied across three growing seasons(2014–2017).Three comprehensive decision analysis methods:principal component analysis,grey correlation degree analysis and the combined entropy weight and dynamic technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution method were used to evaluate the growth and physiological indicators,nutrient uptake,yield,quality,evapotranspiration,and water use efficiency of winter oilseed rape.Planting pattern,nitrogen amount and their interaction significantly affected the indicators aforementioned.The RFMF pattern significantly increased all indicators over the FP pattern.Application of N also markedly increased all the indicators except for seed oil content,but the yield,oil production and water use efficiency were decreased when N fertilizer exceeded 180 kg N ha–1 under FP and 240 kg N ha–1 under RFFM.The evaluation results of the three comprehensive decision analysis methods indicated that RFMF planting pattern with 240 kg N ha–1 is an appropriate cultivation method for winter oilseed rape in northwestern China.These findings are of vital significance to maximize yield,optimize quality and improve resource use efficiencies of winter oilseed rape.

Ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting with supplemental irrigation to improve seed yield and water use efficiency of winter oilseed rape(Brassica napus L.)

Ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting （RFRH） planting pattern can lessen the effect of water deficits throughout all crop growth stages, but water shortage would remain unavoidable during some stages of crop growth in arid and semiarid areas. Supplemental irrigation would still be needed to achieve a higher production. Field experiments were conducted for two growing seasons （2012-2013 and 2013-2014）to determine an appropriate amount of supplemental irrigation to be applied to winter oilseed rape at the stem-elongation stage with RFRH planting pattern. Four treatments, including supplemental irrigation amount of 0 （I1）, 60 mm （I2） and 120 mm （I3） with RFRH planting pattern and a control （CK） irrigated with 120 mm with flat planting pattern, were set up to evaluate the effects of supplemental irrigation on aboveground dry matter （ADM）, nitrogen nutrition index （NNI）, radiation use efficiency （RUE）, water use efficiency （WUE）, and seed yield and oil content of the oilseed rape. Results showed that supplemental irrigation improved NNI, RUE, seed yield and oil content, and WUE. However, the NNI, RUE, seed yield and oil content, and WUE did not increase significantly or even showed a downward trend with excessive irrigation. Seed yield was the highest in 13 for both growing seasons. Seed yield and WUE in 13 averaged 3235 kg ha^-1 and 8.85 kg ha^-1 mm-1, respectively. The highest WUE was occurred in 12 for both growing seasons. Seed yield and WUE in 12 averaged 3089 kg ha^-1 and 9.63 kg ha^-1 mm^-1, respectively. Compared to 13, 12 used 60 mm less irrigation amount, had an 8.9% higher WUE, but only 4.5 and 0.4% lower seed yield and oil content, respectively. 12 saved water without substantially sacrificing yield or oil content, so it is recommended as an appropriate cultivation and irrigation schedule for winter oilseed rape at the stem-elongation stage.

The Relationship of Color Formation with Related Enzymes and Protein Contents in the Seedcoat of Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus)

Three pairs of near-isogenic lines with different genetic backgrounds of yellow-seededand black-seeded rape (Brassica napus L.) were used as experiment materials to study therelationship of color formation in the seedcoat with enzyme activity and protein contentin it. The results showed that with similar genetic backgrounds, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase(PPO) activities in the black-seeded lines were muchhigher than in their yellow-seeded counterparts and maximum PAL activity in the seedcoatoccurred comparatively late while no significant difference was present in glutaminesynthetase (GS) between the two types of rape. The plants were treated with red light,blue light, p-hydroxybenzoic acid (a PAL inhibitor), polyvinylpyridoxal (a PPO inhibitor),urea (a protein synthesis promoter) or chloramphenicol (CM, a plastid protein synthesisinhibitor) during seed development. It is speculated that PAL may be primarily responsiblefor coloration in the yellow seed; PPO may be the main factor contributing to thedarkness of the testa of the black genotypes; and nitrogen assimilation is, probably, notdirectly related to the difference in protein content observed between yellow- andblack-seeded genotypes, which may be induced mainly by PAL.

Effects of low-vacuum helium cold plasma treatment on seed germination,plant growth and yield of oilseed rape

The effects of low-vacuum helium cold plasma treatment on the seed germination,plant growth and yield of oilseed rape（Brassica napus L.cv.Zhongshuang 9） were investigated.Seeds were exposed to low-vacuum helium cold plasma ranging from 0-120 W for 15 s.Cold plasma increased the germination,plant growth and yield of oilseed rape,and the treatment of 100 W provided the best result.The germination rate,germination and vigor indices,and uniformity of emergence were improved by cold plasma treatment.Cold plasma raised the relative conductivity and water uptake,and reduced the apparent contact angle.The characteristics of plant growth,including plant height,stem diameter,dry weights of shoot and root at the seedling,bolting and flowering stages were increased by the cold plasma treatment.Yield components,including pod numbers per plant and 1000 seed weights were increased by the cold plasma treatment.Furthermore,the yield per plant increased by 28.20%.These results suggest that cold plasma treatment has the potential to improve the yield of oilseed rape through the enhancement of permeability,wettability and capacity of water uptake of the seeds,seed germination and plant growth.