Improvement of drought and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis and Lotus corniculatus by overexpression of a novel DREB transcription factor from Populus euphratica

► A novel DREB gene (PeDREB2a) was isolated from the desert-grown tree. ► PeDREB2a transcripts were greatly induced by drought and NaCl. ► Overexpression of PeDREB2a in Arabidopsis enhanced tolerance to drought stresses. ► PeDREB2a plays an essential role in regulation of stress-responsive in P. euphratica.