The Stacks project

Proof. Assume $R$ is N-1. Let $R'$ be the integral closure of $R$ which is finite over $R$. Hence also $R'[x]$ is finite over $R[x]$. The ring $R'[x]$ is normal (see Lemma 10.37.8), hence N-1. This proves the first assertion.

For the second assertion, by Lemma 10.161.7 it suffices to show that $R'[x]$ is N-2. In other words we may and do assume that $R$ is a normal N-2 domain. In characteristic zero we are done by Lemma 10.161.11. In characteristic $p > 0$ we have to show that the integral closure of $R[x]$ is finite in any finite purely inseparable extension of $L/K(x)$ where $K$ is the fraction field of $R$. There exists a finite purely inseparable field extension $L'/K$ and $q = p^ e$ such that $L \subset L'(x^{1/q})$; some details omitted. As $R[x]$ is Noetherian it suffices to show that the integral closure of $R[x]$ in $L'(x^{1/q})$ is finite over $R[x]$. And this integral closure is equal to $R'[x^{1/q}]$ with $R \subset R' \subset L'$ the integral closure of $R$ in $L'$. Since $R$ is N-2 we see that $R'$ is finite over $R$ and hence $R'[x^{1/q}]$ is finite over $R[x]$. $\square$