Changes in soluble amino-N, soluble proteins and free amino acids in leaves and roots of salt-stressed maize genotypes

The effects of salt stress on the contents of organic solutes and on the pattern of free amino acids were studied in leaves and roots of two maize genotypes, BR5033 (salt-tolerant) and BR5011 (salt-sensitive). In leaves and roots of salt-stressed plants, soluble amino-N increased with time when compared to the controls. Salt stress increased the soluble protein content only in leaves of BR5011. Salinity increased the content of the majority of the free amino acids in leaves and roots of genotypes studied. Results suggest the hypothesis of disturbances in translocation of N-containing compounds from shoot to root in the salt-sensitive genotype. Results also suggest that the accumulation of organic solutes, mainly in roots of BR5033, may have an important role in the tolerance of this genotype to salt stress.