Overexpression of OsmiR393a gene confers drought tolerance in creeping bentgrass.

Drought is a relatively important abiotic stress of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Limited information is available with regard to molecular management strategies for drought. MiR393a is already known to play role in the tolerance of plants to abiotic stresses. Here, creeping bentgrass plants overexpressing OsmiR393a showed improved drought tolerance, as evidenced by maintenance of turgor and increased growth. Additional analyses revealed that the transgenic plants generally displayed lower transpiration rate, higher proline content and chlorophyll content when subjected to drought stress. These results suggest OsmiR393a may improve drought tolerance of creeping bentgrass by regulating 2, 4- D signalling and other pathways in response to the stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]