Transient and steady-state ion fluxes were measured by MIFE technique.
Tibetan wild barley XZ5 showed more tolerant to drought than cv Tadmor and ZJU9.
XZ5 showed the least Ca2+ efflux and H+ alteration under drought over Tadmor/ZJU9.
XZ5 recorded the highest K+ uptake in root epidermis and leaf mesophyll in drought.
K+ uptake, leaf H+ influx/alkalization of apoplastic pH be a chemical signal for barley drought response.