The objective of the present work was to determine the effect of nitrogen t
oxicity on the metabolism of phenolic compounds and of oxidative stress in
Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Strike. The nitrogen was applied to the nutrient
solution as NH4NO3 at 5.4, 10.8, 16.2, 21.6 and 27 mM. The results indicate
that the application of 27 mM N can be defined as toxic, as it drastically
depressed growth of the green bean plants in our experiment. In addition,
the abiotic stress from the application of this N dosage inhibited the enzy
mes polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and catalase, and stimulated phenylalani
ne ammonia-lyase and superoxide dismutase activities. The result was foliar
accumulation of phenolic compounds and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The accum
ulation of H2O2 also apparently caused a reduction in biomass production.