Effects of waterlogging on the growth and physiological properties of juvenile oilseed rape

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of waterlogging on the growth and physiological properties of juvenile oilseed rape (Brassica napus L cv. Zhongshuang No. 11). Waterlogging lasted 3 or more days significantly depressed the plant growth, which might be due to it decreased the chloroplast and photosynthetic pigment content, nitrogen uptake and utilization, and induced the oxidization of plant. The effects of waterlogging on juvenile oilseed rape growth is mainly attributed to its influence on the recovery process of physiological properties after flooding, which was prolonged with the period of waterlogging lasted, including the chloroplast and photosynthetic pigment content, nitrate reductase and antioxidant enzyme activities. Moreover, in photosynthetic pigment, the effect of waterlogging on the carotenoid content was more significant than chlorophyll content of juvenile oilseed rape.