Free sugars in relation to starch accumulation in developing rice grain

The changes in sugars (water-soluble carbohydrates) were studied in the developing grain of rice (Oryza sativa L., variety IR28 and IR29) in relation to the role of these sugars as precursors of ADP glucose in starch accumulation. The levels of total sugars, total reducing sugars and free glucose, sucrose and other nonreducing sugars, maltooligosaccharides, and total and nonsucrosyl fructose followed closely the changes in the rate of starch accumulation, in both IR28 and 29; the peak value occurred 9 days after flowering. The level of soluble carbohydrates remained high in the caryopsis and also in milled rice after starch accumulation, suggesting that the supply of sugar precursors does not limit starch accumulation in the rice grain. Because of a higher level of reducing sugars, the level of free sugars in the grain of waxy rice IR29 was higher than that of nonwaxy IR28.     

Enzymes of starch metabolism in the developing rice grain

The levels of starch, soluble sugars, protein, and enzymes involved in starch metabolism—α-amylase, β-amylase, phosphorylase, Q-enzyme, R-enzyme, and starch synthetase —were assayed in dehulled developing rice grains (Oryzasativa L., variety IR8). Phosphorylase, Q-enzyme, and R-enzyme had peak activities 10 days after flowering, whereas α- and β-amylases had maximal activities 14 days after flowering. Starch synthetase bound to the starch granule increased in activity up to 21 days after flowering. These enzymes (except the starch synthetases) were also detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Their activity in grains at the midmilky stage (8-10 days after flowering) was determined in five pairs of lines with low and high amylose content from different crosses. The samples had similar levels of amylases, phosphorylase, R-enzyme, and Q-enzyme. The samples consistently differed in their levels of starch synthetase bound to the starch granule, which was proportional to amylose content. Granule-bound starch synthetase may be responsible for the integrity of amylose in the developing starch granule.     

Changes in carbohydrates,amino acids and proteins in developing seed of chickpea

Developing seeds of chickpea cultivars G-130, L-550 and 850-3/27 grown under field conditions were sampled at different stages of maturity and analysed for soluble sugars, starch, soluble nitrogen, protein nitrogen and amino acids. Fr. wt of seeds of all three cultivars decreased after 28 days of flowering while the dry wt continued to increase. Rapid starch accumulation was observed between 14 and 28 days after flowering. Starch as per cent of seed dry wt started to decrease after 28 days, while starch per seed increased till maturity. The percentage of salt-soluble proteins decreased with maturation of seed. The electrophoretic pattern revealed that deposition of seed storage protein in cotyledons occurred 14 days after flowering. Most of the biochemical activity apparently occurred between 14 and 28 days after flowering.     

Biochemical changes in developing seeds of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Soluble sugars, starch, soluble nitrogen and protein nitrogen were studied in developing seeds of 3 cultivars of pigeonpea. When expressed on a per seed basis soluble sugars increased up to 35 days after flowering and then declined slightly. Rapid starch accumulation was observed between 14 and 28 days after flowering. The levels of soluble nitrogen and protein nitrogen underwent rapid changes during the same period. Amino-acid composition of seed protein was also studied at different stages of maturation. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of salt-soluble proteins revealed that seed storage globulins are formed after 14 days of flowering and do not change much during later stages of maturation.     

Role of calonyctin on free sugars in relation to starch accumulation in developing sweet potatoes

Calonyctin, a natural plant growth regulator extracted from the leaves of Calonyction aculeatum (L.) House, can promote crop growth and increase crop yield. The specific reasons for this response are unknown. This study was conducted to determine the effect of calonyctin treatment on the free sugars of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] as related to starch accumulation. The sweet potatoes were grown in the field in 1992, treated by foliar spray with Calonyctin concentrations of 0 (control) and 0.1 activity unit (CTSP) at 20 days after planting (DAP) at the rate of 190 liters of diluted solution/ha., and sampled periodically to determine free sugars. The response of sweet potato to calonyctin was first detected at 40 days after treatment (on 60 DAP). Data indicated that calonyctin treatment significantly increased starch synthesis in storage roots, decreased the fluctuation tendency of total sugar level during the growth period, and kept the sugar level relatively constant with a gradual rise regardless of variations in weather. The level of the reducing sugars in CTSP leaves was higher at 60 and 160 DAP and lower at 100, 120, and 140 DAP. During rainy days (100 DAP), the reducing sugars in CTSP storage roots remained at a lower level when those in controls reached high levels. The sucrose content in CTSP leaves was 40–138% greater than that in controls except at 80 and 120 DAP, and the ratio of sucrose to total nonreducing sugars remained at 100% in CTSP leaves even on rainy and cool days and above 96% in CTSP storage roots except on cool days (140 and 160 DAP), suggesting that calonyctin treatment promoted the synthesis and transfer of sucrose and supplied abundant sugar precursors for starch accumulation in storage roots.Abbreviations DAP days after planting - CTSP calonyctin-treated sweet potato with 0.1 activity unit     

Enzymes involved in starch synthesis in the developing mung bean seed

The levels of free sugars, starch and enzymes involved in starch metabolism—sucrose synthetase, UDP and ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase, phosphorylase and starch synthetase—were assayed during seed development of three cultivars of mung bean (Vigna radiata). Free sugars and starch increased with increasing seed weight. Changes in levels of sucrose synthetase, UDP- and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylases, and phosphorylase were paralleled by changes in starch accumulation. After the maximum activity levels of these enzymes had been reached, maximum activities of soluble starch synthetase and starch granule-bound starch synthetase occurred. There were high activities of sucrose synthetase and phosphorylase at maximum rates of starch accumulation. Thus, starch could be synthesized via the ADP glucose pathway in mung bean seeds. However, phosphorylase may account for the starch accumulation in the early stages of mung bean seed development.     

Metabolism of free sugars in relation to starch synthesis in the developing Sorghum vulgare grain

Accumulation of starch at expense of its free-sugar precursors was studied in the developing grains of the ‘SL-44’variety of Sorghum vulgare Pers. The content of starch gradually increased with the maturation of the grain and this increase was relatively fast until 18 days after anthesis. The daily rate of starch accumulation was at a maximum 15 days after anthesis. The content of total free sugars, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars other than sucrose, total and non-sucrosyl fructose, and glucose also increased, reaching maximum values at 18 days after anthesis. Sucrose content gradually increased with a concomitant decrease in the activity of invertase, and sucrose was the major non-reducing sugar in the matured grains. Detached heads incubated in labelled sugars indicated that, compared to sucrose and fructose. ¹⁴C was more efficiently incorporated from glucose into grain starch, which was maximally synthesized at the mid-milky stage of grain development. Exogenous supply of NAD⁺ plus ATP stimulated the in vivo incorporation of ¹⁴C from sucrose to starch. The decline in the rate of starch accumulation did not synchronise with that of protein synthesis.     

Metabolic Changes in Developing Rice Seeds

Metabolic changes in developing rice seeds were studied with respect to respiration, carbohydrate and nitrogen fractions, nucleic acids and hydrolytic enzymes, viz. α-amylase, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and phytase. — Respiration rate was maximum after 12 days from the date of pollination and became feeble afterwards with the fall in the moisture content of the maturing seeds. In the early stage, there was a preponderance of reducing sugars which were replaced later by nonreducing forms. Dry matter accumulation was mainly due to the steady rise in starch content. There was a gradual accumulation of protein nitrogen throughout the experiment, the rate being highest between 12–16 days. RNA content increased steadily till the seeds became mature, while DNA formed rapidly during the first 20 days and was maintained at the same level thereafter. —α-Amylase activity increased up to 20 days and declined sharply afterwards. The peak activities of ATPase and phytase were recorded at 32 and 24 days after pollination, respectively.     

Import of sucrose and its transformation to starch in the developing sorghum caryopsis

Levels of soluble and bound invertases and amylases were studied in relation to the changes in the free sugars and the accumulation of starch in the developing sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, cv. spv. 351] caryopsis and its associated bractspedicel. Besides sucrose, glucose and fructose as the principal sugars, small amounts of sugars of the raffinose series were detected in the developing caryopsis. Through out the period of caryopsis development, the amount of reducing sugars was higher than that of sucrose. With the advancement in the development of the caryopsis, the contents and levels of sucrose rose with a concomitant fall in the activity of soluble acid (pH 4.8) invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) in the endosperm. In the pericarp-aleurone layer, the activity of soluble acid invertase predominated over soluble neutral (pH 7.5) invertase (EC 3.2.1.27). The activity of bound acid invertase declined with the ageing of the caryopsis. In bracts-pedicel, the activity of bound invertase and the levels of reducing sugars peaked around 18 days post anthesis. In these organs, the level of starch gradually decreased concomitantly with an increase in its level in the developing caryopsis. Amylases (EC 3.2.1.1 and 3.2.1.2) are distributed in the endosperm as well as in the pericarp-aleurone layer. On culturing detached ears in [U-¹⁴C]-sucrose solution for 6 h in the dark at 25°C, 80–90% of the ¹⁴C of extracted major sugars (i.e. sucrose + glucose + fructose) of the caryopsis appeared in sucrose alone. In comparison with the effects of glucose or fructose, transport into the caryopsis of ¹⁴C from [U-¹⁴C]-sucrose supplied to detached ears was promoted by the addition to the radiolabelled sucrose solution of 1% unlabelled sucrose. Addition to the [U-¹⁴C]-sucrose solution fed to the detached ears of 20 mM NaN₃ or HgCl₂ or galactose, lowered the amount of ¹⁴C in the free sugars and starch of the earyopsis.     

不同水分管理下优质稻花后植株碳氮流转与籽粒生长及品质的相关性

以桂华占、八桂香为材料,在干湿交替灌溉、亏缺灌溉、淹水灌溉3种水分条件下,研究优质稻花后植株碳氮流转与籽粒生长及品质的相关性。结果表明:不同水分管理下,桂华占和八桂香花后碳氮流转与籽粒的生长间存在密切相关。主要表现在:(1)茎鞘和叶片干物质转运对籽粒干物质积累的贡献率为16.86%～25.68%,花后茎叶干物质运转速度和运转率与籽粒起始灌浆势呈显著甚至极显著正相关;籽粒最大灌浆速率、活跃灌浆期、持续灌浆时间与叶片干物质运转速度和运转率呈极显著正相关,与茎鞘干物质运转速度和运转率呈极显著负相关;(2)茎鞘碳同化物转运对籽粒的产量和淀粉产量的贡献率则为干湿交替灌溉>亏缺灌溉>淹水灌溉;但叶片碳同化物转运对籽粒的产量和淀粉产量的贡献率则为淹水灌溉>亏缺灌溉>干湿交替灌溉;茎叶可溶性糖积累量的减少和籽粒直链淀粉含量和积累量增加是同步的,且茎叶可溶性糖积累量快速递减期(花后3～12d)与直链淀粉含量和积累量快速递增期(花后6～12d)同步;(3)茎鞘和叶片氮素转运对籽粒氮素积累的贡献率为44.05%～117.66%,叶片总氮转运对籽粒氮素积累的贡献率大于茎鞘,茎鞘和叶片氮同化物对籽粒氮素的贡献率以淹水灌溉处理的最大,亏缺灌溉处理的次之,干湿交替灌溉处理的最小。     

Differential response of carbon and nitrogen metabolism to fluoride application in fruiting structures of chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

The effect of sodium fluoride (10 and 50 mol·m⁻³) on the activities of sucrose metabolizing enzymes, transaminases and glutamine synthetase in relation to the transformation of free sugars to starch and protein in the fruiting structures (pod wall, seed coat, cotyledons) of chickpea was studied by culturing detached reproductive shoots in a liquid medium. Addition of fluoride to the culture medium drastically reduced starch content of the cotyledons and caused a marked build-up of total free sugars comprised mainly of reducing sugars in the pod wall and seed coat, and sucrose in the cotyledons. Concomitantly, the activity of soluble invertase was stimulated in the pod wall but reduced in the cotyledons. However, soluble protein content of both the pod wall and the cotyledons increased in conjunction with an increase in the activities of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and glutamine synthetase. Disruption of starch biosynthesis under the influence of fluoride and the resulting accumulation of free sugars possibly resulted in their favoured utilization in nitrogen metabolism. Labelling studies with [U-¹⁴C]-sucrose showed that the ¹⁴C incorporation into total free sugars was enhanced by fluoride in the pod wall but reduced in the seed coat and cotyledons, possibly due to an inhibitory effect on their translocation to the developing seeds.     

Some properties of 3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase from developing rice grain

Some properties of 3-P-glycerate phosphatase from developing caryopsis of rice (Oryza sativa L., variety IR26) were studied. The enzyme was found to be soluble and not bound to starch, and concentrated mainly in the pericarp-aleurone layer; its maximum activity was at 12 to 14 days after flowering. Contents of 3-P-glycerate and chlorophyll were highest in the grain at 7 to 8 days after flowering when starch synthesis was at a maximum. The enzyme was purified about 100-fold by precipitation with 50 to 80% ammonium sulfate, followed by chromatography through Sephadex G-200 and CM-Sephadex C-50. The pH optimum was from 5.7 to 6 and no cation was required for activity. The purified preparation had an apparent Km of 2.85 mm and was inhibited by Cu(2+), Hg(2+), Zn(2+), Fe(3+), molybdate, and F(-). The enzyme also exhibited high activity toward UTP, ATP, and p-nitrophenyl phosphate; moderate activity toward other phosphates; but no activity toward phytate. A molecular weight of about 23,000 was obtained for the 3-P-glycerate peak during gel filtration on Sephadex G-200, which corresponded to a value of 26,000 for the major protein fraction by thin layer gel filtration on Sephadex G-150. Zymograms of the whole extract and semipurified preparations showed two phosphatase bands with 3-P-glycerate as substrate.     

Excess nickel modulates activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and induces accumulation of sugars by upregulating acid invertase and sucrose synthase in rice seedlings

The effects of increasing concentrations of nickel sulfate, NiSO₄ (200 and 400 μM) in the growth medium on the content of starch and sugars and activity levels of enzymes involved in starch and sugar metabolism were examined in seedlings of the two Indica rice cvs. Malviya-36 and Pant-12. During a 5–20 day growth period of seedlings in sand cultures, with Ni treatment, no definite pattern of alteration in starch level could be observed in the seedlings. In both roots and shoots of the seedlings Ni treatment led to a significant decrease in activities of starch degrading enzymes α-amylase, β-amylase, whereas starch phosphorylase activity increased. The contents of reducing, non-reducing, and total sugars increased in Ni-treated rice seedlings with a concomitant increase in the activities of sucrose degrading enzymes acid invertase and sucrose synthase. However, the activity of sucrose synthesizing enzyme sucrose phosphate synthase declined. These results suggest that Ni toxicity in rice seedlings causes marked perturbation in metabolism of carbohydrates leading to increased accumulation of soluble sugars. Such perturbation could serve as a limiting factor for growth of rice seedlings in Ni polluted environments and accumulating soluble sugars could serve as compatible solutes in the cells under Ni toxicity conditions.     

不同海拔‘凤丹'牡丹籽粒油脂品质形成及代谢相关基因差异表达

通过对洛阳地区海拔100、650和1010 m‘凤丹'牡丹籽粒发育过程中形态指标、营养成分和关键基因的表达分析,研究了不同海拔条件下‘凤丹'牡丹籽粒产量性状变化和可溶性糖、淀粉、可溶性蛋白质与脂肪酸间的转化规律,以及相关酶活性和油脂代谢关键基因差异表达。结果表明: ‘凤丹'牡丹单果籽粒产量性状随海拔的升高而升高,且高海拔‘凤丹'籽粒生长期长于低、中海拔。成熟籽粒中可溶性糖和淀粉含量随海拔的升高而增加,可溶性蛋白质和粗脂肪含量差异不显著。籽粒发育过程中蔗糖合成酶(SS)和蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)活性呈现先降后升的趋势,花后90 d活性最低;丙酮酸脱氢酶(PDH)、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)和谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性均在花后50～90 d快速增加,花后90 d达到最大值。牡丹籽粒中乙酰CoA羧化酶基因(ACCase)和硬脂酰ACP脱氢酶基因(SAD)相对表达量在花后50 d达到最大值,而ω-6脂肪酸去饱和酶2(FAD2)相对表达量在花后90 d达到最大值。籽粒发育过程中可溶性糖和淀粉与蛋白质和粗脂肪的积累呈负相关;SPS活性与可溶性糖和淀粉呈正相关,与可溶性蛋白质和粗脂肪呈极显著负相关;GPT、GOT与可溶性糖呈负相关,与淀粉呈极显著负相关,与可溶性蛋白质和粗脂肪呈极显著正相关;PDH与可溶性蛋白质、GPT、GOT呈正相关,与可溶性糖呈负相关,与淀粉呈极显著负相关。表明牡丹籽粒发育过程中养分积累是由糖类向粗脂肪和蛋白质的方向转化,SPS、PDH、GPT、GOT等在此过程中起重要作用。籽油中的棕榈酸、硬脂酸和亚油酸与亚麻酸相对增量呈负相关,说明牡丹籽油中脂肪酸去饱和过程是向亚麻酸合成的方向进行。ACCase、SAD和FAD2相对表达量与亚麻酸的相对增量呈正相关,均在亚麻酸合成过程中起重要作用。不同海拔条件下牡丹籽粒油脂品质相对稳定,籽粒生产性能随海拔的升高而升高,故在洛阳中高海拔地区种植油用牡丹是边际土地高效利用的重要策略。     

花后土壤水分状况对小麦籽粒淀粉和蛋白质积累关键调控酶活性的影响

在温室盆栽条件下,以2个不同蛋白质含量的冬小麦(Triticum aestivum L．)品种皖麦38和扬麦9为材料,研究了花后第4天开始的土壤干旱(SRWC=45％～50％)和渍水对籽粒蛋白质和淀粉积累关键调控酶活性的影响。小麦叶片和籽粒的测定结果均表明,小麦源库器官中籽粒蛋白质和淀粉积累的关键调控酶活性变化趋势在2个品种间基本一致。与对照(SRWC=75％～80％)相比,干旱和渍水均明显降低了花后旗叶中蔗糖含量和磷酸蔗糖合成酶(SPS)活性,而氨基酸含量和谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性略有下降。干旱和渍水均降低了籽粒库蔗糖合成酶(SS)和结合态淀粉合成酶(GBSS)活性,可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS)活性降低尤甚。其中干旱处理下SS的下降比渍水更为明显。与对照相比,渍水明显降低了籽粒谷丙转氨酶(GPT)和GS活性,而干旱的影响较小。相关性分析结果表明籽粒淀粉产量和含量与SPS,SSS和GBSS活性的关系比与SS活性的关系更为密切,籽粒蛋白质产量和含量与叶中GS和籽粒中GPT活性的关系比与籽粒中GS关系活性更为密切。这些结果表明小麦源库器官中调控籽粒蛋白质和淀粉积累的关键酶活性变化是花后不同水分状况影响籽粒淀粉和蛋白质特性的重要因素。     

Biosynthesis of Starch in Proplastids of Germinating Ricinus communis Endosperm Tissue

Electron photomicrographs of endosperm tissue from germinating seed of Ricinus communis L. cv. Hale show proplastids which contain prominent starch grains. The content of starch in endosperm tissue increased from 500 micrograms per seed, in imbibed seed, to 1,100 micrograms per seed in 5-day-old seedlings. The maximum net rate of starch deposition was 1.1 nanomoles glucose incorporated per minute per seed. About 200 micrograms of starch remained in the endosperm 9 days after imbibition. Starch content followed the same developmental pattern as the content of sucrose, free reducing sugars, and other metabolic processes found in this tissue. Two key enzymes of starch synthesis, adenosine diphosphoglucose (ADPG) pyrophosphorylase and ADPG-starch glucosyl transferase (starch synthetase) exhibited maximum activities at 4 and 5 days after germination, respectively. The maximum activity of ADPG pyrophosphorylase was 8.17 nanomoles ADPG formed per minute per seed, whereas starch synthetase exhibited an activity of 125 nanomoles glucose incorporated per minute per seed. These levels of enzyme activity are sufficient to account for the starch synthesis observed. Other enzymes which may be involved in starch synthesis include 3-phosphoglycerate kinase which showed an activity of 8.76 units per seed, triose-P isomerase (2.56 units per seed), fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (0.99 units per seed), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (0.23 units per seed), phosphoglucose isomerase (12.6 units per seed), and phosphoglucomutase (9.72 units per seed). The activities of these enzymes were similar to previously reported values.

Starch synthetase was found in association with the fraction containing proplastids isolated from endosperm tissue. Of the total starch synthetase activity in the endosperm, 38% was particulate. Forty-four% of the total particulate activity of starch synthetase placed on sucrose gradients was associated with the band containing proplastids. The proplastids contained 98% of the ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase carboxylase activity placed on the gradient.

     

结实期土壤水分亏缺影响水稻籽粒灌浆的生理原因

通过分析结实期土壤水分亏缺对水稻(Oryza sativa)籽粒中蔗糖向淀粉合成的生理代谢中关键酶活性及籽粒灌浆的调节作用, 探讨土壤水分亏缺影响水稻籽粒灌浆的生理机制。结果表明, 适度土壤水分亏缺诱导了灌浆高峰期(花后15-20天)水稻籽粒中蔗糖合成酶、腺苷二磷酶葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶、可溶性淀粉合成酶及淀粉分支酶活性的增加, 提高了籽粒灌浆中前期(花后10-20天)籽粒中淀粉积累速率和籽粒灌浆速率。但在灌浆后期(花后20-30天)籽粒中, 上述关键酶活性下降较快, 籽粒活跃灌浆期明显缩短, 灌浆前中期灌浆速率的增加不能完全补偿灌浆期缩短带来的同化物积累损失, 导致水分亏缺处理水稻籽粒充实不良, 结实率、籽粒重和产量显著降低。研究认为, 灌浆期土壤水分亏缺引起的灌浆后期籽粒中蔗糖向淀粉合成代谢中一些关键酶活性快速下降和籽粒内容物的供应不足是籽粒淀粉积累总量减少、粒重降低的主要生理原因。     

Effect of decreased irradiance on N and C metabolism in leaves and roots of maize

The effects of decreased irradiance on fresh and dry weight, root respiration, levels of carbohydrates and N-compounds, and extractable activities of enzymes involved in C and N metabolism were evaluated in maize ( Zea mays L. cv. Plauto) seedlings during the 7 days following transfer from 450 to 200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PAR. The fresh weight of roots and stems, the initiation of new leaves, root respiration rate, and the accumulation of dry matter, soluble sugars, starch, malate and amino acids in both leaves and roots were strongly reduced at low irradiance. In contrast, the level of nitrate was increased in leaves and only marginally affected in roots. Leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) activity started to decrease after 24–34 h, whereas ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) activity and chlorophyll content were unaffected or only slightly reduced. In both leaves and roots, the adjustment of N metabolism to low irradiance occurred through a relatively rapid (30% after 10 h) and large (60% after 3 days) decrease of nitrate reductase (NR; EC 1.6.6.1) activity, followed by slower and smaller changes in the activity of nitrite reductase (EC 1.7.7.1), glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) and NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.2). We suggest that the preferential decrease of NR activity relative to other N-assimilating enzymes may be important for preventing the accumulation of toxic N-compounds like ammonia in both leaf and root tissues.     

Photosynthetic CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O gas exchange and dynamics of carbohydrates content in maize leaves under drought

We studied the temporal sequence of changes in the photosynthetic CO₂/H₂O gas exchange intensity, as well as leaf water status, contents of soluble carbohydrates, starch, proline, pigments, and MDA, in maize seedlings (Zea mays L., cv. Luchistaya) under adaptation to increasing water deficit. The duration of drought was 2, 3, 5, and 6 days. Withholding water from maize plants caused gradual increase in the intensity of water deficit: from mild (2 or 3 days) to moderate (5 days) and nearly severe (6 days) water stress. After 6 days, relative leaf water content decreased by 19.8% as compared to the control. On the second day after the onset of drought, slight reduction in the photosynthetic CO₂/H₂O gas exchange intensity of the treated plants was observed. After 6 days, photosynthesis and transpiration of leaves synchronously reduced almost threefold due to stomatal closure. The progressive soil drought had substantial impact on the carbohydrate metabolism. After 2 days of water deficit, the content of reducing sugars and sucrose increased slightly, whereas after 6 days, it increased ten and four times, respectively. After 2, 3, and 5 days of drought, the starch content declined slightly; however, under severe drought (6 days), it increased by 30% as compared to the control. Simultaneously with the increase in the content of soluble sugars, proline content increased significantly and it was the highest on the sixth day of drought. At all stages of water deficit, the proline content increased more significantly than the content of reducing carbohydrates and sucrose. Under increasing water deficit (5 and 6 days), the content of MDA was found to rise. At the initial drought stage (2 or 3 days) and under severe water deficit (6 days), no significant changes in the pigment content were observed. Thus, at the initial stages of progressive drought, in the leaves of this maize cultivar, a decline in photosynthetic activity proceeded simultaneously with accumulation of reducing sugars, sucrose, and proline. The results obtained showed that, at the first stages of adaptation of maize seedlings to drought, the changes in carbohydrate and proline metabolism have been observed, which have increased upon further plant dehydration.