Abstract: Rape(Brassica napus) seeds were cultured in the solution containing diosgenin at diffe- rent concentrations.Effects of diosgenin on seed germination and seedling growth of rape are different with treatment concentrations,particularly at a concentration of 0.5 mg/L.Diosgenin enhanced the length of hypocotyls,increased the dry weight and fresh weight of leaf and stem,there were similar increases the activity of peroxidase,catalase and Ca²⁺-ATPase in cotyledons. Diosgenin, therefore, may help rape seedlings to grow and metabolize.