Waterlogging tolerance and recovery capability screening in peanut: a comparative analysis of waterlogging effects on physiological traits and yield

Fifteen peanut varieties at the pod filling stage were exposed to waterlogging stress for 7 days, the enzyme activities and fluorescence parameters were measured after 7 days of waterlogging and drainage. The waterlogging tolerance and recovery capability of varieties were identified. After waterlogging, waterlogging tolerance coefficient (WTC) of relative electrolyte linkage (REL), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and catalase (CAT) activity, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and photochemical quenching (qL) of leaves of most peanut varieties were increased, while the WTC of the soil and plant analysis development (SPAD) value, PS II actual quantum yield (Φ(PS II)), maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) were decreased. After drainage, the WTC of REL, MDA content, SOD and CAT activity of leaves were decreased compared with that of after waterlogging, but these indicators of a few cultivars were increased. Φ(PS II), Fv/Fm and qL can be used as important indexes to identify waterlogging recovery capability. There was a significant negative correlation between recovery capability and the proportion of reduction in yield, while no significant correlation was found between waterlogging tolerance and the proportion of reduction in yield. Therefore, it is recommended to select varieties with high recovery capability and less pod number reduction under waterlogging in peanut breeding and cultivation.