To investigate the changes in the composition and pool size of nitrogen metabolites under drought stress, white clover (Trifolium repens L.) were exposed to -0.04MPa (well-watered, control) or to -0.12MPa (drought-stressed) of soil water potential during 28 days. Dry weight of leaves in drought-stressed plants was remarkably decreased by 45% and 74% within 14 days and 28 days, respectively, compared with control. For nitrate concentration after 28 days of treatment, a significant difference (1.6 times higher in drought-stressed plants) was observed only in stolon. NH3 -NH4 + concentration in all three organs of drought-stressed plants linearly increased to more than 1.6 times higher level at 28 day when compared to the initial level (day 0), while the increasing rate in control was much less than that of drought-stressed plants. Proline concentrations in drought-stressed plants remarkably increased and reached to 7, 13 and 17 times higher level at 28 day compared to control. Protein concentration in leaves of drought-stressed plants tended to decrease, while it slightly increased during the first 14 days and reached a plateau afterward in control. There was not significant difference in the proteins concentration of stolon and roots throughout experimental period. On SDS-PAGE analysis, two major proteins specifically induced by drought stress (16-kD and 18-kD) were detected in stolon.n.

To investigate the changes in the composition and pool size of carbohydrates under drought stress, white clover (Triforium repens L.) were exposed to -0.04 Mpa(well-watered, control) or to -0.12 Mpa (drought-stressed) of soil water potential during 28 days. Dry weight of leaves in drought-stressed plants was remarkably decreased by 45% within 14 days and 74% within 28 days compared to those of the control. Glucose concentration in drought-stressed plants was increased, while that of control was slightly decreased or remained at same level throughout experimental period. Fructose and sucrose concentrations in leaves were not significantly changed for drought-stressed plants, but those of the control were significantly decreased on plant after 14 days. Fructose and sucrose concentrations in stolon of control plants were sharply decreased, while that of drought-stressed plants was less varied. Those concentrations in roots were generally increased in drought-stressed plants. The concentration of total soluble sugars at 28 day was 438.0 and 632.6 mg g-l dwt. in control and drought stressed plants, respectively. Starch concentration of stolon and roots of control plants was significantly increased to 2.0 and 1.4 times of initial level, respectively, whereas those of drought stressed plants was nearly same level or slightly decreased compared to initial level.l.

To investigate the partitioning of newly absorbed N derived from NO3 - and NH4 + , 6 mM K15 NO3 or 3 mM (15 NH4 )2 was fed continuously in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflrum L.) for 7 days. Nitrogen metabolites (nitrate, amino acid, soluble- and insoluble protein) were analyzed at the end of 15 N feeding. Dry weight in shoot, stubble and root was not significantly different between NO3 [-10] and NH4 + feeding. Total nitrogen content in all three organs was significantly higher in NH4 + than NO3 [-10] feeding. Sum on N content in reduced N fractions (amino acids + proteins) in shoot, stubble and roots in NH4 + feeding increased by 13.3, 12.5 and 35.4 %, respectively, compared to NO3 [-10] feeding. The Relative Specific Activity (RSA, percentage of newly absorbed 15 N relative to total N in a sample) values of amino acids and insoluble proteins were significantly higher in NH4 + feeding. Total amount of newly absorbed 15 N in NO3 [-10] and NO3 [-10] feeding was 52.3 and 69.5 mg/plant on dry matter basis, respectively. In both NH4 + and NO3 [-10] grown plants, most of the N was allocated to the shoot, 67.5% in NH4 + feeding and 58.8% NO3 [-10] feeding, respectively. The 15 N amount incorporated in the reduced N compounds (amino acids and proteins) in NH4 + grown plants significantly increased by 74.8% compared to NO3 [-10] grown plants. The increase of the 15 N amount assimilated to amino acids in NH4 + grown plants was remarkably higher in roots as more than 7.25 times compared to NO3 [-10] feeding. These results indicated that Italian ryegrass was much efficiently utilized NH4 + -N for the synthesis of reduced N compounds.reduced N compounds.

To investigate of C and N metabolisms in response to phosphorus-deficient stress during regrowth of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), C and N metabolites were analyzed at 0, 6, 12 and 24 days after defoliation. P-sufficient (control, +P) and P-absent (-P) nutrient solutions were applied from 7 days before defoliation, and continued for one cycle of 24 day-regrowth period. During 24 days of regrowth, dry matter of regrowing shoots and remaining tissues were not significantly different between +P and -P treatment. In remaining stubble, 70% to 91 % decline of the initial level (at day 0) in all C compounds occurred during the first 6 days of regrowth. Initial amounts of nitrate and amino acids in roots were significantly higher in the +P medium. Nitrate contents in stubble in the +P medium significantly decreased for the first 12 days and then rapidly recovered, while that of the -P medium continuously decreased until day 24. Amino acids in stubble in the P medium were continuously increased during the whole regrowth period. Soluble proteins in stubble in the +P medium also largely fell down (46.0% of the initial) for only the first 6 days, however the decline in the -P medium continued until day 12. In regrowing shoots, the accumulation of C compounds was significantly higher, while that of N compounds except amino acids was largely lower in the -P medium. These results showed a stimulation of carbohydrate synthesis and a compensatory utilization of organic reserves occurred to support regrowth under P-deficient condition.