DROUGHT TOLERANT GENES AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

The present invention relates to the field of plant molecular biology, more particularly to the regulation of genes that increase drought tolerance and yield. Provided herein are methods finding use in agriculture for increasing drought tolerance in dicot and monocot plants. Methods comprising introducing into a plant cell a polynucleotide that encodes a maize XERICO polypeptide operably linked to a promoter that drives expression in a plant are provided. Methods are further provided for maintaining or increasing yield in plants under drought conditions by introducing into a plant cell a polynucleotide encoding a maize XERICO polypeptide and a polynucleotide encoding an abscisic acid (ABA)-associated polypeptide. Also provided are transformed plants, plant tissues, plant cells, and seeds thereof.