Sodium chloride effects on lipase activity in germinating rape seeds

Seeds of rape (Brassica napus L.) were germinated at various NaCl concentra tions up to 200 mM. Germinating levels, seedling growth, triacylglycerol mo bilization and lipase activity were investigated. High salt concentrations resulted in retardation of seed germination. Seedling growth as measured by radicle length was severely reduced by NaCl doses higher than 50 mM. Moreo ver, the mobilization of storage oil in control rapeseed seedlings, started about 24 h after imbibition. As for germination and growth, elevated salt concentrations are found to delay triacylglycerol degradation. Experiments using triolein as substrate indicated clearly that lipase activity was inhi bited by salt treatment.