Effects of ferulic and p-coumaric acids on canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Hyola 401) seed germination

Soils contain substances such as cinnamic acid derivatives that, in suffici ent concentration, affect seed germination, root elongation, biomass and, c onsequently, the seedling growth. A characteristic of these effects is the variability among species which does not have a defined rule that applies t o all plants. Although plant physiological responses under the action of th ese compounds have been shown in several species, no attention has been giv en to their effects on canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Hyola 401) seed. The o bjective of this research was to investigate how ferulic (FA) and p-coumari c (p-CA) acids influence canola seed germination. Data showed that neither compounds affected germination percentage in concentrations up to 1.0 mM. A bove this concentration, they affected seed germination and cotyledon and r oot weights by suppressing the primary root elongation with the more signif icant effect caused by p-CA.