Engineering drought tolerant tomato plants over-expressing BcZAT12 gene encoding a C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor

► Focuses on transformation of tomato with ZAT12 gene that plays a role in abiotic stress tolerance. ► Six successful transformants (ZT1-ZT6) of tomato cv. H-86 harbouring ZAT12 gene resulted. ► Lowered EL and improved RWC in transformed tomato plants were significant. ► Decreased ROS with elevated CAT activity were noted in transformed tomato plants. ► Tolerant tomato lines ZT1 and ZT5 have potential in improved tomato yield under drought stress.