Overexpression of the leucine‐rich receptor‐like kinase gene LRK2 increases drought tolerance and tiller number in rice

Summary Drought represents a key limiting factor of global crop distribution. Receptor‐like kinases play major roles in plant development and defence responses against stresses such as drought. In this study, LRK 2 , which encodes a leucine‐rich receptor‐like kinase, was cloned and characterized and found to be localized on the plasma membrane in rice. Promoter– GUS analysis revealed strong expression in tiller buds, roots, nodes and anthers....