Abscisic acid (ABA), a pivotal phytohormone regulating plant growth and stress adaptation, orchestrates abiotic stress responses through the ABA-responsive element-binding factors ABF/AREB/ABI5. Nevertheless, the functional characterization of ABF/AREB/ABI5 homologs in Z. jujuba cv. Dongzao remains unexplored. In this study, we identified seven ZjABF genes distributed across five chromosomes. Domain analyses revealed high structural conservation, particularly within the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA-binding domain. Subcellular localization confirmed nuclear targeting of all seven ZjABF proteins. Phylogenetic classification resolved these factors into three clades (A–C). Cis-regulatory element profiling implicated the involvement of the ZjABFs in hormone signaling, abiotic stress transduction, and photoregulatory pathways. Synteny analyses identified three segmental duplication events within the gene family. Tissue-specific expression patterns indicated critical roles for ZjABF2 and ZjABF3 in fruit maturation, and most of the ABF/AREB/ABI5 genes were highly expressed in the root. Under drought stress, four ZjABF genes exhibited differential expression, with ZjABF2 demonstrating pronounced sensitivity. These findings establish a molecular framework for understanding ZjABF-mediated abiotic stress responses in non-model woody perennials.

Apple production in the arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China, such as Lingwu in Ningxia, faces severe challenges due to water scarcity, which is exacerbated by climate change. To address this issue, this study aimed to identify superior drought-tolerant apple varieties grafted onto the dwarfing interstock SH40 for cultivation in the Lingwu region. Seven major commercial varieties (‘Yanfu 3’, ‘Yanfu 6’, ‘Yanfu 8’, ‘Huashuo’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Starking Delicious’, and ‘Red General’) were evaluated. Under natural drought stress conditions in Lingwu, we measured physiological and biochemical indices, photosynthetic parameters, leaf anatomical structure, and post-harvest fruit quality and yield. Principal component analysis (PCA) and membership function analysis were then employed for a comprehensive evaluation of drought resistance. The results revealed significant varietal differences. ‘Red General’ exhibited superior antioxidant enzyme activities (peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and higher photosynthetic rates (net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr). ‘Golden Delicious’ showed the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) content but also possessed advantageous leaf anatomical traits, such as a high palisade-to-spongy tissue ratio. PCA extracted five principal components with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 95.492%. Membership function analysis ranked overall drought resistance as follows: ‘Red General’ > ‘Golden Delicious’ > ‘Starking Delicious’> ‘Huashuo’ > ‘Yanfu 6’ > ‘Yanfu 8’ > ‘Yanfu 3’. In conclusion, the mid-season varieties ‘Red General’, ‘Golden Delicious’, and ‘Starking Delicious’ demonstrated excellent comprehensive drought tolerance and are recommended as promising candidates for cultivation in the arid Lingwu region.