Abstract:  Effects of heat treatment and intermittent warming treatment on the chilling injury and the physiological responses of kidney bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L) were studied.The results showed that both treatments delayed the rise of respiratory rate,and postponed increase of relative electrical conductivity and peroxidase (POD) activity of kidney bean induced by chilling stress.The watery pitting and russet occurrence of kidney bean stored at the chilling temperature largely reduced by the treatments.The heat treatment and intermittent warming synergically reduced the watery pitting and russet occurrence of kidney bean stored at 2℃.The combination of the two treatments almost retarded the effects of chilling injury of kidney bean.It suggested that the synergism of two treatments was an effective method preventing the chilling injury of kidney bean.

Key words: Kidney bean Heat treatment Intermittent warming Chilling injury Physiological response