Basic leucine zipper transcription factor OsbZIP16 positively regulates drought resistance in rice

► OsbZIP16 was strongly induced under drought and salinity stresses. ► OsbZIP16 localizes in the nucleus and has transactivation activity. ► Overexpression of OsbZIP16 enhances drought resistance in rice. ► Overexpression of OsbZIP16 makes rice seedlings hypersensitive to ABA. ► OsbZIP16 mediates the expression of numerous stress responsive genes.