Drought stress is a major factor in reduce growth, development and production of plants. Stress
was applied with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and water potentials were: zero (control), -0.15 (PEG
10%), -0.49 (PEG 20%), -1.03 (PEG 30%) and -1.76 (PEG40%) MPa. The solutes accumulation of two
maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars -704 and 301- were determined after drought stress. In our experiments, a
higher amount of soluble sugars and a lower amount of starch were found under stress. Soluble sugars
concentration increased (from 1.18 to 1.90 times) in roots and shoots of both varieties when the studied
varieties were subjected to drought stress, but starch content were significantly (p<0.05) decreased (from
16 to 84%) in both varieties. This suggests that sugars play an important role in Osmotic Adjustment (OA)
in maize. The free proline level also increased (from 1.56 to 3.13 times) in response to drought stress and
the increase in 704 var. was higher than 301 var. It seems to proline may play a role in minimizing the
damage caused by dehydration. Increase of proline content in shoots was higher than roots, but increase of
soluble sugar content and decrease of starch content in roots was higher than shoots.: