ABA-dependent K+ flux is one of the important features of the drought response that distinguishes Catalpa from two different habitats.

Abscisic acid (ABA)-induced stomatal closure can improve drought tolerance in higher plants. However, the relationship between ABA-related ion flux and improved drought resistance in the roots of woody plants is unclear. To investigate this relationship, we employed a noninvasive micro-test technique (NMT) to detect potassium (K+) flux in Catalpa fargesii and C. fargesii f. duclouxii after treatment with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ABA. PEG treatment slightly increased the free proline content in both Catalpa species. However, simultaneous treatment with ABA and PEG resulted in a large increase in free proline content. Treatment with PEG led to a significant increase in K+ efflux, and both ABA and tetraethylammonium (TEA, a K+ channel inhibitor) blocked this efflux under short-term (1 d) and long-term (7 d) drought conditions. Furthermore, we detected SKOR (stelar K+ outward-rectifying channel) gene expression in roots, and the results showed that PEG significantly increased SKOR expression in C. fargesii f. duclouxii, but SKOR expression was inhibited by ABA in Catalpa fargesii. These findings indicate that ABA improves drought tolerance by inhibiting K+ efflux in Catalpa, but distinct ABA response patterns exist. Drought-tolerant species have better potassium retention are dependent on ABA, and can accumulate more proline than other species. SKOR is also ABA-dependent and sensitive to ABA, and K+ flux is a target of the ABA-mediated drought response.