塔里木河流域荒漠河岸植物对应急输水的生理响应

选择塔里木河沿岸典型样地,以乔木树种胡杨(Populuseuphratica)、灌木柽柳(Tamarixspp.)和草本植物罗布麻(Apo-cynumvenetum)为研究材料,垂直距离输水河道500m范围内,间隔100m设置一个采样断面。监测并分析塔里木河下游应急输水前后5个断面地下水位、地下水含盐量及3种植物叶片游离脯氨酸、可溶性糖、内源植物激素脱落酸(ABA)和细胞分裂素(CTK)含量的变化。研究3种荒漠植物对水盐双重胁迫环境的生理响应及适应策略。结果表明:盐胁迫显著增加3种植物叶片或同化枝的可溶性糖浓度,断面间不同植物叶片或同化枝可溶性糖积累存在差异;输水后断面间随地下水位不同程度的抬升,胡杨和柽柳叶片或同化枝脯氨酸含量出现了成比例的下降;柽柳同化枝可溶性糖与脯氨酸积累相关性最小,发展了不同于另外两种植物的通过有机溶剂积累适应胁迫环境的策略,即同化枝可溶性糖与脯氨酸作为响应于地下水位变化的功能物质独立地起作用,可溶性糖积累对盐胁迫的响应明显,而脯氨酸积累对干旱胁迫的响应更为明显;对与胁迫抗性有关的植物内源激素ABA、CTK浓度及浓度增长量变化进行分析,发现胡杨具有不同于其他两种植物的内源ABA、CTK浓度增量变化趋势;胡杨和罗布麻叶片ABA积累量与脯氨酸积累百分量(△[脯氨酸])而柽柳中ABA积累量与可溶性糖积累百分量(△[可溶性糖])显著相关。     

Physiological response of riparian plants to watering in hyper-arid areas of Tarim River, China

The physiological responses and adaptive strategies of Populus euphratica Oliv. (arbor species), Tamarix ramosissima Ldb. (bush species), and Apocynum venetum L. (herb species) to variations in water and salinity stress were studied in the hyper-arid environment of the Tarim River in China. The groundwater table, the saline content of the groundwater, as well as the content of free proline, soluble sugars, plant endogenous hormones (abscisic acid (ABA), and cytokinins (CTK)) of the leaves of the three species were monitored and analyzed at the lower reaches of the Tarim River in the study area where five transects were fixed at 100 m intervals along a vertical sampling line before and after water release. Saline stress dramatically increased soluble sugar concentration of the three species. Differences in sugar accumulation were determined among the species at different transects. The free proline concentration of the leaves of T. ramosissima and P. euphratica showed a proportional decrease with various degrees of elevation of the groundwater table after water release. There was a least correlation between the soluble sugars and proline stimulation in T. ramosissima. It was strongly suggested that T. ramosissima developed a different strategy to accumulate organic solutes to adapt to the stress environment. The soluble sugars and proline accumulation responded to the changes of groundwater table independently: the former occurred under salt stress, whereas the latter was more significant under drought stress. The concentration and the increase in concentration of ABA and CTK involved in stress resistance of the three species were also determined. This increase in the hormone concentration in P. euphratica was different from that of the other two species. Expressed as a function of increase of ABA concentration in leaves, A. venetum and T. ramosissima showed a different solute accumulation in response to groundwater table. There was a significant correlation between ABA accumulation and Δ [proline] in A. venetum as well as between ABA accumulation and Δ [sugar] in T. ramosissima. Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(8): 1966–1973 [译自: 生态学报]     

新疆塔里木河下游生态输水与胡杨叶片的生理及形态响应

选择塔里木河下游3个典型断面的15个研究样地,分析和测定了塔里木河下游2000～2002年生态输水前后不同研究样地的地下水位、地下水含盐量和胡杨(Populus euphratica Oliv.)叶片中脯氨酸、可溶性糖、植物内源激素脱落酸和细胞分裂素的含量以及胡杨叶片的形态结构变化,研究了塔里木河下游主要建群种胡杨对生态输水的生理与形态的响应和适应性.结果表明,塔里木河下游胡杨生长已受到不同程度的干旱胁迫;输水后各样地地下水位均有所上升,胡杨对浅层地下水位的变化表现出明显响应,胡杨受到的生理胁迫降低,胡杨叶片角质层厚度、维管束导管官腔直径及管壁厚度皆随地下水位的上升而减少;随着地下水位的上升,地下水含盐量分别提高1.76～2.47倍,输水效果由于盐对植物的生理胁迫作用的增加而有所减弱;在塔里木河下游极端干旱环境下,胡杨林保育恢复的合适地下水位埋深为3.15～4.12 m,地下水含盐量为67.15～72.65 mm.     

新疆塔里木河下游生态输水与胡杨叶片的生理及形态响应

选择塔里木河下游3个典型断面的15个研究样地,分析和测定了塔里木河下游2000￣2002年生态输水前后不同研究样地的地下水位、地下水含盐量和胡杨(Populus　euphratica　Oliv.)叶片中脯氨酸、可溶性糖、植物内源激素脱落酸和细胞分裂素的含量以及胡杨叶片的形态结构变化,研究了塔里木河下游主要建群种胡杨对生态输水的生理与形态的响应和适应性。结果表明,塔里木河下游胡杨生长已受到不同程度的干旱胁迫;输水后各样地地下水位均有所上升,胡杨对浅层地下水位的变化表现出明显响应,胡杨受到的生理胁迫降低,胡杨叶片角质层厚度、维管束导管官腔直径及管壁厚度皆随地下水位的上升而减少;随着地下水位的上升,地下水含盐量分别提高1.76　￣　2.47倍,输水效果由于盐对植物的生理胁迫作用的增加而有所减弱;在塔里木河下游极端干旱环境下,胡杨林保育恢复的合适地下水位埋深为3.15　￣　4.12　m,地下水含盐量为67.15　￣　72.65　mm。     

Physiological Responses of Three Contrasting Plant Species to Groundwater Level Changes in an Arid Environment

Plants growing on both sides of the Tarim River in western China serve as a natural barrier containing the deserts and protecting the oasis, and their growth is greatly affected by water conditions In their local habitat. We studied the physiological responses of three different types plants （i.e. Populus euphratlca Oliver, Tamarix ramosissima L., and Apocynum venetumas Linn） to changing groundwater levels by analyzing changes in chlorophyll, soluble sugar, proline （Pro）, malondialdehyde （MDA）, superoxlde dlsmutase （SOD）, peroxidase （POD）, indoleacetic acid （IAA）, giberellic acid, abscisic acid （ABA） and cytokinin （CK）. Relationships between these physiological characteristics and groundwater levels were analyzed in order to assess the drought tolerance of the three plant species based on the values of average membership function. We found that MDA, SOD and ABA were more susceptible to changes in groundwater level, followed by POD, IAA and CK. Among the three plant species, Populus euphratica responded physiologically less to changing groundwater level than T. ramosissima and A. venetumas.     

塔里木河中游地区3种植物的抗旱机理研究

对塔里木河中游地区沙吉力克、阿其河等断面地下水位进行监测并对胡杨、柽柳、芦苇3种植物的可溶性糖、脯氨酸等生理指标进行测定分析.研究显示：（1）塔里木河中游地区植物生长与地下水位变化关系密切,随着不同断面地下水位埋深程度的增加,植物体内可溶性糖与脯氨酸含量呈增加趋势;（2）在干旱胁迫情况下,植物通过可溶性糖、脯氨酸等渗透调节物质的积累来提高自身的抗旱性;（3）植物叶片可溶性糖和脯氨酸的积累存在互相补偿的关系.研究表明在相同水分胁迫下,柽柳和芦苇对地下水位的变化更为敏感,胡杨的抗旱性较强.     

Ecological adaptation characteristics of Populus euphraticaeuphratica and Tamarix ramosissima leaf microstructures in the lower reaches of Tarim River

In order to explore the ecological adaptation in leaf microstructures of Populus euphratica and Tamarix ramosissima in the lower reaches of Tarim River; we used scanning electron microscopy to observe epidermal, cuticular and cross-sectional structures of P. euphratica and T. ramosissima leaves. In addition, their cell submicroscopic structures were studied with transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that through long-term adaptation to the same environmental conditions, micro-structural of the leaves for the two species exhibit high degree of homoplasy: there is cavity between cuticle and epidermal, and cuticle bulges outwards to form processes mammillaris and epidermal hairs; stomata concaves; fence and vascular tissues are developed; both alisade cells and thin walled cells have chloroplast; vacuoles occupies large volume of the cell space; etc. These features help plants resist drought stress. The salt glands and salt crystallization of T. ramosissima reveals the strong ability of salt stress resistance, but its drought-resistance capacity is weaker than P. euphratica. The specific components of the various shapes of crystal structures in their leaves call for further study.     

Ecological adaptation characteristics of Populus euphraticaeuphratica and Tamarix ramosissima leaf microstructures in the lower reaches of Tarim River

In order to explore the ecological adaptation in leaf microstructures of Populus euphratica and Tamarix ramosissima in the lower reaches of Tarim River; we used scanning electron microscopy to observe epidermal, cuticular and cross-sectional structures of P. euphratica and T. ramosissima leaves. In addition, their cell submicroscopic structures were studied with transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that through long-term adaptation to the same environmental conditions, micro-structural of the leaves for the two species exhibit high degree of homoplasy: there is cavity between cuticle and epidermal, and cuticle bulges outwards to form processes mammillaris and epidermal hairs; stomata concaves; fence and vascular tissues are developed; both alisade cells and thin walled cells have chloroplast; vacuoles occupies large volume of the cell space; etc. These features help plants resist drought stress. The salt glands and salt crystallization of T. ramosissima reveals the strong ability of salt stress resistance, but its drought-resistance capacity is weaker than P. euphratica. The specific components of the various shapes of crystal structures in their leaves call for further study.     

塔里木河下游柽柳ABA累积对地下水位和土壤盐分的响应

近年来发现在逆境下(干旱、低温、高温、盐渍等)的植物体内大量积累ABA,从而引导人们去研究ABA与植物抗逆性之间的关系。在塔里木河下游地区影响植被正常生长发育的各种胁迫因子中,地下水位和土壤盐分是导致"绿色走廊"衰败的主要因素。柽柳是塔里木河下游荒漠植被的主体,对于改善生态环境、遏制沙漠化、保护生物多样性等诸多方面具有重要作用。因此,研究柽柳和地下水位以及土壤盐分的关系,对于维护塔里木河流域天然植被赖以生存的环境,保护柽柳这一重要的生物资源,维持生态平衡的良性循环具有重要意义。运用国际通用软件SAS6.12对塔里木河下游柽柳ABA和地下水位以及土壤盐分进行相关分析表明,柽柳ABA含量与地下水位呈极显著正相关,相关系数R=0.80305(显著性程度P=0.0003);与土壤盐分呈显著负相关,相关系数R=-0.59036(显著性程度P=0.0205)。由各断面柽柳ABA含量变化与地下水位和土壤盐分关系分析结果可以初步推断:3.12m的地下水位和0.96g/L的土壤盐分已经威胁到柽柳的正常生长发育,地下水位超过5.59m、土壤盐分大于1.61g/L则会对柽柳造成严重胁迫。在恢复和保育塔里木河流域天然植被的过程中,应该把对植被造成胁迫的外界条件的成因和植被自身的抗旱、抗盐等抗逆特性结合起来进行考虑:根据耐旱耐盐植被的合理生态水(盐)位,在主河道两岸维持一定范围的地下水位,使乔木、灌木、草本植被能良好地生长,发挥多种生态功能,这样既可以避免水资源的浪费又能充分发挥生态输水的功效,有利于从根本上解决"绿色走廊"的问题。     

塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘柽柳和胡杨水势季节变化研究

对塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘的柽柳和胡杨生长周期内的清晨水势和水势日变化的连续野外测定表明,两种植物在整个生长期内均未出现明显的水分亏缺.清晨水势的季节变化幅度不大,正午水势有不同程度的降低;一次性人工灌溉对植物水分状况没有明显影响.采伐利用方式不影响植物的水分状况.地下水是柽柳和胡杨生存与生长的先决条件.维持该区域地下水位的基本稳定是保证该区域柽柳和胡杨恢复重建的重要前提.     

塔里木河下游干旱胁迫下的胡杨生理特点分析

本运用塔里木河下游地下水位变化资料和塔里木河下游主要植物胡杨脯氨酸和脱落酸(ABA)的分析实验数据,结合野外调查,对地下水位变化与胡杨体内脯氨酸和脱落酸积累的关系进行了分析。研究表明,在塔里木河下游,塔里木河下游胡杨体内的脯氨酸和脱落酸含量与地下水位变化密切相关．以胡杨为主的天然植物受干旱胁迫程度愈大,退化愈严重,而反映在胡杨体内脯氨酸和脱落酸含量上．则随着地下水位的下降、水分胁迫程度的增加呈现出明显增加态势。在不同地下水位埋深条件下,胡杨体内脯氨酸和脱落酸累积过程的变化和差异表达了胡杨受干旱的程度;塔里木河下游胡杨的生长发育已受到严重的十旱胁迫。     

塔里木河中下游地区不同地下水位对植被的影响

 根据近几年塔里木河中下游地区的大量监测结果,分析了不同地下水位对植被的影响。结果显示：1)在塔里木河中下游,地下水位与植被盖度和植物种类的回归模型分别可以表示为：Y=159.32e-0.314 8X,R2=0.819 3,　p<0.01;Y=9.113e-0.162 3X,R2=0.606 7, p<0.01。2)地下水位对植被的影响在很大程度上是通过改变土壤含水率来实现的,当地下水位在1～4 m时,其回归模型为：Y=64.898e-0.515X,R2=0.727,p<0.01;当地下水位在4～12 m时,Y=21.147e-0.178X,R2=0.658,p<0.01。当地下水位在3.5～4.0 m时,土壤含水率出现明显变化,因此认为3.5 m是塔里木河中下游地区草本植被生态恢复的最低水位。3)通过胡杨叶脯氨酸(Pro)和脱落酸(ABA)在不同水位条件下的含量变化,可以认为引起胡杨水分胁迫的地下水位出现在5.0 m。其后随着水位的降低,胡杨脱落酸的积累更加明显,地下水位与胡杨叶脱落酸含量可以表示为：Y=0.703 5e0.408X,R2=0.830 4, p<0.01。4)通过塔里木河下游输水后的植被调查,当地下水位出现明显升高后,植被的地表生态响应非常明显,乔灌草植被在水位升高至不同水位后均出现相应的变化,说明以上的分析是符合实际的。     

塔里木荒漠绿洲过渡带主要种群生态位与空间格局分析

于新疆塔里木盆地荒漠绿洲过渡带设置3条样带(长900 m×宽50 m)进行植物群落调查,运用生态位测度指标和点格局法对种群空间格局、空间关联性及生态位特征进行研究。结果显示,胡杨(Populus euphratica Oliv.)、多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb.)和甘草(Glycyrrhiza inflate Bat.)具有较大的重要值和生态位宽度,对其它生态位较窄的物种具有资源竞争和扩张优势,生态适应能力强,对群落结构和环境变化起决定性作用;生态过渡带植物的种间生态位重叠普遍较高,尤其是草本植物间更明显,此分配格局反映出荒漠植物长期适应旱化生境而发生趋同适应,生态位分化程度低,种间资源竞争激烈;优势种群空间格局呈明显的空间变异性,0~25 m尺度内多枝柽柳和甘草分别呈随机分布和聚集分布,胡杨种群在≤5 m尺度内呈聚集分布,并随尺度增大转为随机分布;胡杨与多枝柽柳、胡杨与甘草、多枝柽柳与甘草分别在4 m、≤16 m和≤25 m尺度内呈显著空间负关联,种间相互排斥。表明在匮乏环境资源条件下植物趋同适应与资源竞争是驱动荒漠植物群落演替和限制物种共存的主要原因。     

盐胁迫条件下杨树盐分与甜菜碱及糖类物质变化

以抗旱耐盐性强的胡杨（Populus euphratica）和非抗盐的群众杨（P. popularis‘35-44’）为实验材料,研究了盐胁迫条件下盐分与甜菜碱、还原糖、蔗糖以及水溶性糖等细胞相容溶质的动态变化。两种杨树在盐处理期间表现出明显差异：群众杨下部叶片首先表现出盐害症状,处理后两周苗木上部叶片也出现盐害并脱落。而胡杨在试验期间仅下部叶片发黄脱落,盐处理15天后落叶量仅为16%。群众杨盐害症状的出现主要是由叶片中盐离子的大量累积所致。与之比较,胡杨拒吸Na+的能力及控制Cl-转运的能力均优于群众杨。另外,胡杨的耐盐性强于群众杨也与其有机溶质的变化有关。受到盐胁迫后胡杨根叶中甜 菜碱浓度显著提高,在处理后15天达到最高值,特别是叶片中甜菜碱的浓度提高了243倍,达到1*!899.8 μmol/L,根中甜菜碱含量也增加了9倍。此外,盐处理后胡杨叶和根中的还原糖、水溶性糖和蔗糖含量均呈明显上升趋势,分别在第4天和第15天达到峰值。与胡杨相反,耐盐性弱的群众杨在盐胁迫期间,叶中甜菜碱和糖含量并无显著提高,根中糖分水平还明显降低。由此可以得出结论,胡杨渗透调节能力高于群众杨,是其耐盐性强的重要生理基础之一。     

AM真菌对盐胁迫下番茄幼苗生理特征及AVP1表达的影响

采用温室盆栽试验研究不同NaCl浓度（0、50 和85 mmol/L）持续胁迫接种摩西球囊霉和地表球囊霉 2种AM真菌对加工番茄耐盐性的影响。结果显示:（1）在0 mmol/L NaCl处理条件下,2种菌的番茄菌根化苗的根系活力、叶片中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、根系脯氨酸含量以及超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性均高于非菌根植株,且丙二醛含量低于非菌根植株,但差异不显著。（2）在50、85 mmol/L NaCl浓度胁迫下,接种2种菌根真菌可显著提高番茄植株根系活力,促进叶片中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白及根系脯氨酸含量的积累,显著提高叶片中与抗逆相关的超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶的活性,减少丙二醛在根系中的积累;随着NaCl浓度的增加,效果更为明显。（3）RT-PCR分析显示,AM真菌和盐胁迫共同调控H⁺转运无机焦磷酸酶H⁺- PPase的表达,随NaCl浓度的增加,AVP1基因表达量下降,但菌根化番茄植株的AVP1基因表达量显著高于非菌根植株。研究表明,接种AM真菌后,菌根化植株可通过显著促进幼苗体内渗透调节物质积累和抗氧化酶活性的提高,有效降低体内膜脂过氧化水平,同时过量表达AVP1基因增加了番茄植株中离子向液泡膜的转运,从而缓解盐胁迫对植株的伤害,增强番茄幼苗对盐胁迫的耐性。     

穗花牡荆花芽分化过程中形态和生理指标变化

以穗花牡荆为研究材料,通过探究其花芽分化进程和生理特性,为花期调控技术提供成花机理。采用物候期观察和石蜡切片相结合的方法并测定花芽分化过程中相关生理指标,研究花发育过程中的形态和生理变化。结果表明,穗花牡荆花芽分化为一年多次分化型,其进程可划分为七个时期：未分化期、总轴花序原基分化期、初级分轴花序原基分化期、次级分轴花序原基分化期、小花原基分化期、花器官分化前期和花器官分化后期。同一植株不同位置花芽及同一花序中不同单花分化的进程不同,第一季花期后各阶段的花芽分化形态常存在重叠。花芽分化过程中不同时期叶片和花芽的可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质含量均有上升下降的变化,总体上叶片中营养物质含量高于花芽保证营养供应。花芽分化过程中,IAA、ABA、CTK和GA3整体水平上先升后降有利于花芽分化进行。研究认为,花芽中大量的可溶性糖和蛋白质积累及较高的碳氮比,有利于穗花牡荆花芽形态分化顺利完成。低水平的GA3/ABA和IAA/CTK有利于花序的形成,ABA/CTK和ABA/IAA比值升高促进小花原基和小花萼片原基的分化, GA3/CTK、GA3/ABA和GA3/IAA比值升高促进花瓣原基、雄雌蕊原基发育。     

Effects of saline and osmotic stress on proline and sugar accumulation in Populus euphratica in vitro

The use of in vitro shoot cultures to evaluate osmotic and salt tolerance and the effects of salt and mannitol in the medium on proline and sugar accumulation were investigated in two poplar species, P. euphratica and P. alba cv. Pyramidalis × P. tomentosa. Shoot length, leaf number, whole plant dry weight, and the accumulation of proline and total soluble sugars in leaves were quantified after 2 weeks. All P. euphratica plantlets survived at all levels of mannitol and NaCl, while the mortality of P. alba cv. Pyramidalis × P. tomentosa increased both at the mannitol and the NaCl treatments. A significant increase in proline accumulation was observed in both young and mature P. euphratica leaves at 200 mM mannitol and above, and at 150 mM NaCl and above. The total soluble sugar content increased in young P. euphratica leaves at 250 mM NaCl; however, it decreased in the mature leaves. Similar increases of the total soluble sugar content were not seen in P. alba cv. Pyramidalis × P. tomentosa plants in response to either mannitol or NaCl treatment. Our results suggest that accumulated proline and sugars promote osmotic and salt tolerance. The effects of accumulated proline and total soluble sugars on leaves are discussed in relation to growth and osmotic adjustment. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

罗布麻对不同浓度盐胁迫的生理响应

利用网室盆栽实验,研究不同浓度的NaCl（100-400mmol·L^-1）胁迫对罗布麻（Apocynum venetum）生长及生理特性的影响。结果表明,100mmol·L^-1NaCl处理显著降低了罗布麻植株的鲜重,但对其干重影响不大;随着盐浓度继续增加,罗布麻鲜重和干重显著下降。在盐胁迫下,罗布麻叶片内的丙二醛含量、电解质渗漏率、根部和地上部Na^＋的含量明显增加,K^＋的含量随着盐离子浓度的增加而降低。盐胁迫显著降低了地上部Ca^2＋的含量,而对根部Ca^2＋的含量没有影响。植株K^＋/Na^＋和Ca^2＋/Na^＋比值随着盐胁迫强度的增加而降低。盐胁迫显著促进了罗布麻根部对K^＋和Ca^2＋的选择性吸收及对K^＋的选择性运输。当NaCl浓度小于或等于200mmol·L^-1时,随着盐离子浓度的增加,罗布麻叶片内的脯氨酸和可溶性糖积累显著增加,而当NaCl浓度大于200mmol·L^-1时,这2种有机溶质含量显著下降。总体上,罗布麻通过积累无机离子、合成有机溶质及维持较高的K^＋、Ca^2＋选择性吸收和运输来适应一定浓度（≤200mmol·L^-1NaCl）的盐胁迫。     

ABA对叶子花正常叶和变态叶部分生理生化指标的影响(研究简报)

为探索ABA对叶子花正常叶和变态叶部分生理生化指标的影响,利用不同浓度ABA溶液处理叶子花正常叶和变态叶,6h后,测定其叶绿素、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、游离脯氨酸含量和SOD酶活性.结果表明:处理后,变态叶和正常叶的叶绿素含量,SOD酶活性,游离脯氨酸含量和变态叶可溶性糖含量均先增加后降低,在ABA浓度为100 μmol/L时最大.正常叶的可溶性糖含量、正常叶和变态叶的可溶性蛋白含量在ABA浓度为50 μmol/L时最大.这表明50～100 μmol/L浓度的ABA能提高叶子花的抗逆性.     

Genetic association mapping identifies single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes that affect abscisic acid levels in maize floral tissues during drought

In maize, water stress at flowering causes loss of kernel set and productivity. While changes in the levels of sugars and abscisic acid (ABA) are thought to play a role in this stress response, the mechanistic basis and genes involved are not known. A candidate gene approach was used with association mapping to identify loci involved in accumulation of carbohydrates and ABA metabolites during stress. A panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes from these metabolic pathways and in genes for reproductive development and stress response was used to genotype 350 tropical and subtropical maize inbred lines that were well watered or water stressed at flowering. Pre-pollination ears, silks, and leaves were analysed for sugars, starch, proline, ABA, ABA-glucose ester, and phaseic acid. ABA and sugar levels in silks and ears were negatively correlated with their growth. Association mapping with 1229 SNPs in 540 candidate genes identified an SNP in the maize homologue of the Arabidopsis MADS-box gene, PISTILLATA, which was significantly associated with phaseic acid in ears of well-watered plants, and an SNP in pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, a key regulator of carbon flux into respiration, that was associated with silk sugar concentration. An SNP in an aldehyde oxidase gene was significantly associated with ABA levels in silks of water-stressed plants. Given the short range over which decay of linkage disequilibrium occurs in maize, the results indicate that allelic variation in these genes affects ABA and carbohydrate metabolism in floral tissues during drought.