Changes in morphological and physiological traits and stress-related enzyme activities of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes in response to waterlogging stress and recovery treatment

The morphological and physiological parameters were measured for 15 green bean genotypes, and enzymatic activities were measured for two genotypes (tolerant and sensitive) grown under controlled greenhouse conditions during waterlogging stress and recovery periods. Plants were exposed to waterlogging stress for 7 days followed by 7 days of recovery. The leaf area and color, leaf relative water content and turgid losses, and the degree of cell membrane injury were determined. 'Aeker Fasulye' genotype was relatively tolerant among the genotypes studied. Besides, waterlogging treatment caused the loss of sampled organs in the sensitive genotypes, '40 Gunluk', 'L3', and 'L4'. After these three genotypes, the 'L1' genotype was found to be sensitive. Therefore, enzymatic activities were measured for 'Aeker Fasulye' and 'L1'. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase [NAD(P)H oxidase, EC.1.6.3.1] activity increased during waterlogging treatment and decreased during the recovery period. To the contrary, waterlogging treatment degraded catalase (CAT, EC.1.11.1.6) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC.1.6.4.2) activities in leaves and roots. The activity of both enzymes increased during recovery treatment. In conclusion, leaf area, cell membrane injury, and stress-related enzyme activities were found to be an effective means for determining a green bean genotype's response to waterlogging stress.