Salinity-Induced Variation in Biochemical Markers Provides Insight into the Mechanisms of Salt Tolerance in Common (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Runner (P. coccineus) Beans.

The evaluation of biochemical markers is important for the understanding of the mechanisms of tolerance to salinity of beans. We have evaluated several growth parameters in young plants of three cultivars subjected to four salinity levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl); one cultivar of , a closely related species reported as more salt tolerant than common bean, was included as external reference. Biochemical parameters evaluated in leaves of young plants included the concentrations of ions (Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl), osmolytes (proline, glycine betaine, and total soluble sugars), and individual soluble carbohydrates.