Physiological and biochemical response of common bean varieties treated with salicylic acid under water stress

There is genetic variability in Phaseolus vulgaris L. with regard to sensitivity to environmental stress situations,such as heat stress and water deficiency. This variability may have been originated by natural selection or plant breedingprocesses. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate some physiological and biochemical characteristics in commonbean plants submitted to water stress and to different salicylic acid doses. Two varieties were grown in 20L pots until thedevelopment of the third leaf. The plants were treated with salicylic acid (zero, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1mM) every three days fornine days. Then the plants were not watered for nine days until they reached the wilting point. The effective and potentialquantum efficiency and electron transport rate were measured during and after stress. Proline content, SOD activity, solubleprotein content and dry matter was measured 24h after rehydratation. Salicylic acid induced alterations in the populationGuarumbé while Aporé reacted insensitively to salicylic acid regarding photosynthetic parameters.