In this study,we report the molecular characteristics of four ADH genes MaADH1 (GenBank No.KM253748),MaADH2 (GenBank No.KM253749),MaADH3 (GenBank No.KM253750) and MaADH4 (GenBank No.KM253753) cloned from the banana plant (Musa acuminate L.AAA group,cv.Cavendish) using RACE based strategy.At the nucleotide acid level,these genes share a sequence high similarity with ADHs in the banana DH-Pahang (AA group) genome.Phylogenetic analysis showed that the deduced amino acid sequences of MaADH2,MaADH3 and MaADH4 belong to the first class,MaADH1 does not belong to the first and third classes.Expression analysis by semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that these genes were differentially expressed in various tissues.In addition,their expression was regulated by various stress conditions,including exposure to ABA,ethylene,JA,SA,cold,salinity,drought,flood and Fusarium oxysporum f. specialis(f.sp) cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4).The results showed that MaADH2 was strongly induced by ABA,ethylene,JA,SA,drought and flood,the maximum relative expression is 19.14,428.19,68.21,61.79,53.73 and 108.43 respectively.The MaADH3 was strongly induced by NaCl and its maximum relative is 220.27.MaADH1 and MaADH4 were induced by four hormones,abiotic stress and biotic stress,but the expression quantity change was little.This study demonstrated that the MaADH2 was found to be a potential marker gene of ABA,ethylene,JA,SA,flood and drought stress in the banana,the MaADH3 was found to be a potential marker gene of salt stress in the banana.