De novo protein synthesis in relation to ammonia and proline accumulation in water stressed white clover

The kinetics of protein incorporation from newly-absorbed nitrogen (N, de novo protein synthesis) was estimated by 15N tracing in 18-week-old white clover plants (Trifolium repens L. cv. Regal) during 7 d of water-deficit treatment. The physiological relationship between kinetics and accumulation of proline and ammonia in response to the change in leaf-water parameters was also assessed. All leaf-water parameters measured decreased gradually under water deficit. Leaf and root dry mass was not significantly affected during the first 3 d when decreases in leaf-water parameters were substantial. However, metabolic parameters such as total N, proline and ammonia were significantly affected within 1 d of commencement of water-deficit treatment. Water-deficit treatment significantly increased the proline and NH3–NH4+ concentrations in both leaves and roots. There was a marked reduction in the amount of N incorporated into the protein fraction from the newly absorbed N (NANP) in water-deficit stressed plants, particularly in leaf tissue. This reduction in NANP was strongly associated with an increased concentration of NH3–NH4+ in roots (P=0.05) and proline (P=0.01) in leaves and roots. These results suggest that proline accumulation may be a sensitive biochemical indicator of plant water status and of the dynamics of de novo protein synthesis in response to stress severity.