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 and shoots of 5 maize accessions, differing in aluminum(Al) and manganese (Mn) tolerance, in response to Al and Mn stress at the seedling stage in solution culture. The concentrations of these metabolites increased in roots and 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 accumulated more metabolites under stress than control. Generally, the tolerant accessions accumulated more solutes than the non-tolerant maize accessions examined.