Metabolism of abscisic acid in two contrasting rice genotypes submitted to recurrent water deficit

Drought is the main constrain for crops worldwide, however, the effects of recurrent water deficit remain still hidden. We analysed two rice genotypes, ‘BRS‐Querência’ (lowlands) and ‘AN‐Cambará’ (uplands), after 7 days of recurrent drought followed by 24 h of rehydration, hypothesising that genotypes grown in regions with different water availabilities respond differently to water deficits, and that a previous exposure to stress could alter abscisic acid (ABA) metabolism. The results showed that both genotypes reduced stomatal conductance and increased ABA concentration. After rehydration, the ABA levels decreased, mainly in the plants of BRS‐Querência subjected to recurrent stress. However, the levels of ABA were higher in plants in recurrent water deficit compared to non‐recurrent stress plants in both genotypes. Remarkably in the lowland genotype, the ABA glucosyl‐ester (ABA‐GE) concentration increased after recovery in the plants under recurrent stress. Regarding of gene expression, the genes associated in ABA biosynthesis with the highest expression levels were NCED2, NCED3, NCED4 and AAO2. However, ‘AN‐Cambará’ showed less transcriptional activation. Taking into account the genes involved in ABA catabolism, ABAH1 appears to play an important role related to the recurrent stress in upland plants. These results indicate that one of the factors that can promote greater tolerance for the upland genotype is the tradeoff between ABA and ABA‐GE when plants are subjected to water deficits. In addition, they indicate that abscisic acid metabolism is altered due to the genotype (upland or lowland) and pre‐exposure to stress can also modify adaptive responses in rice varieties (recurrent stress).