Overexpression of AtNAC2 (ANAC092) in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) improves abiotic stress tolerance

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oilseed crop grown in semi-arid tropics where it experiences moisture stress at different stages of growth resulting in reduced growth and productivity. In this study, we report that the stress tolerance of groundnut can be improved by overexpression of stress-specific transcription factor through transgenic approach. In silico electronic-northern analysis of AtNAC2 showed increased expression under different abiotic stresses. The transcript levels of a homolog of AtNAC2 gene were upregulated under different drought regimes in groundnut. Groundnut transgenics overexpressing AtNAC2 showed enhanced tolerance to drought and salinity with improved yield under water-limited conditions. The study demonstrates that AtNAC2 is a potential candidate gene to improve stress tolerance by transgenic approach.