Accumulation of amino acids, proline, and carbohydrates in response to aluminum and manganese stress in maize

Synthesis of amino acids, proline, and carbohydrates was studied in roots a nd shoots of 5 maize accessions, differing in aluminum(Al) and manganese (M n) tolerance, in response to Al and Mn stress at the seedling stage in solu tion culture. The concentrations of these metabolites increased in roots an d shoots of the seedlings in the nutrient solution with added Al (0.22 mM), and Mn (2.0 mM). Both Al and/or Mn tolerant and non-tolerant accessions ac cumulated more metabolites under stress than control. Generally, the tolera nt accessions accumulated more solutes than the non-tolerant maize accessio ns examined.