A simple and reliable method for the determination of NH4+, K+, Na+, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamine, and alanine by ion chromatography has been developed. It is suitable for monitoring changes of nitrogen metabolism in soybean because it can accurately measure concentrations o asparagine and NH4+, two key substances for nitrogen storage and transport in this plant species Analysis of asparagine distribution in soybean indicated that higher levels (up to 18.4 micromol g(-1) of fresh mass) occur in stems and lower levels in roots (2.0 micromol g(-1) of fresh mass) and leaves (1.6 micromol g(-1) of fresh mass). When the herbicide metsulfuron-methyl (0.5, 5, and 50 ppb) was applied via the nutrient solution to the root system, asparagine concentrations increased 3-6 times in stems roots, and leaves. Metsulfuron-methyl is known to impair the synthesis of branched amino acids and, in consequence, protein synthesis. Thus, nitrogen consumption was limited, leading to ar accumulation of asparagine. The possible use of this physiological response in agricultural practice to identify herbicide stress in soybean and to detect low-level residues of sulfonylurea herbicides ir the soil is discussed.