The objective of this work was to verify if the introgression of the AtAREB1 gene in the 'LS93-0375' and 'BMX Desafio RR' elite soybean germplasms increases the tolerance of these plants to water deficit. The F4 progenies of these two elite cultivars and of the AtAREB1 transgenic line (BR16-AtAREB1) and its background ('BR16') were subjected to water deficit assays. The water deficit bioassays were performed in a greenhouse using the following six soybean lines: the genetically modified BR16-AtAREB1 and its background 'BR16'; 'LS93' and its F4 progeny, LS93-AtAREB1; and 'BMX Desafio RR' and its F4 progeny, Desafio-AtAREB1. A randomized complete block experimental design was carried out in a 6x2 factorial arrangement, with the six soybean genotypes and two water conditions – control (C) and water deficit (WD) treatments – with nine replicates. Soybean genotypes containing the AtAREB1 gene showed better physiological performances under drought stress and altered expressions of drought-responsive genes. The intogression of AtAREB1 in soybean increases the plant drought tolerance, regardless of the genetic background in which the gene was introduced.
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