Expression of a DREB 5-A subgroup transcription factor gene from Ricinus communis (RcDREB1) enhanced growth, drought tolerance and pollen viability in tobacco

Climate change has increased the frequency of long periods drought, affecting crop cultivation worldwide. Losses due to water stress exceed 10% world production major crops, reaching three-quarters areas, with severe economic losses. Therefore, generation environmental stress-tolerant genotypes that are more efficient in use is extremely important. We have previously isolated and characterized a DREB transcription factor coding gene, named RcDREB1, from castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), which probably belongs CBF/DREB subfamily subgroup A-5. Aiming develop drought-tolerant lines, we stably introduced expressed RcDREB1 transgene into tobacco. Transgenic lines revealed an enhanced drought tolerance. Genetically modified cultivated under deficit presented higher photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, leaf potential content when compared control. lower transpiration rates. In addition, biometric analyses showed transgenic biomass, fresh dry weight plant height than non-transgenic lines. After re-watering, recovered faster plants. Moreover, pollen grains plants remarkable increase viability after exposure heat (38 °C) desiccation stresses. The results here will be foundation for commercial crops tolerant stresses long-life grains, increasing pollination consequence, productivity. A gene was tobacco Genically tolerance water-deific pollens were high temperatures dehydration. These paved way development yield crops.