Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) plays a crucial role in maintaining ascorbic acid (AsA) level in plant.To elucidate the roles of DHAR gene,we cloned and characterized a DHAR gene in maize.The DHAR encoded an open reading frame of 214 amino acids.The comparison of maize DHAR sequence with sorghum,rice and wheat showed a significant conservation and high similar with the three species,such as 85% identified with sorghum DHAR and 83% identified with rice DHAR1 gene.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the DHAR protein cluster with maize,sorghum,wheat and rice proteins.The DHAR expression pattern revealed constitutive expression and abiotic stress induction.It was strongly induced by cold,ABA（100 μmol/L）,PEG（100 mmol/L）,NaCl（250 mmol/L）and wound stress.Altogether the results in this work demonstrated that the DHAR may play an important biological role in plants under abiotic stress.