Abstract: Ziziphus jujuba var.spinosa, which is widely distributed, strong adaptive and very drought-tolerant, is an excellent testing material to study plant responses to drought. In order to show the physiological mechanisms of adaptability of Z.jujuba var.spinosa to drought, we examined the effects of different soil moistures on the contents of leaf water, chlorophyll, MDA, soluble sugar and other physiological and biochemical indices through the coating technology for the control of soil moisture content near its root system.Results showed that: With the decrease of soil moisture, relative water content(RWC) and absolute water content of Z.jujuba var.spinosa leaves gradually decreased, but remained at a high level, which were significantly different from those of the control, respectively(p<0.05); Natural water saturation deficit（NWSD）of Z.jujuba var.spinosa leaves declined and maintained at a low level, which was significantly higher than that of the control (p<0.05); With the decrease of soil moisture, water potential and osmotic potential in leaves of Z.jujuba var.spinosa of the treatment group decreased, which were significantly different from those of the control, respectively(p<0.05), with water absorption capacity increased; With drought stress increasing, the content of chlorophyⅡin leaves of Z.jujuba var.spinosa of the treatment group gradually declined, which was higher than the control(p<0.05); With the extension of processing time, compared with the control group, the conductivity was even greater, MDA also increased,the plasma membrane was injured in the treatment group. The contents of soluble sugar and proline in the leaves of Z.jujuba var.spinosa increased in varying degrees,with an average increase of 1.29 and 1.5 times respectively. Under different soil moisture conditions, the leaves of Z.jujuba var.spinosa have a positive physiological response mode, strong adaptability, and strong drought resistant resistance.

Key words: Ziziphus jujuba var.spinosa, soil moisture, water physiology, membrane stability, osmotic adjustment