Plant expression vectors that include promoter sequences operably linked to heterologous ATHK1 polynucleotides, or complements thereof, encoding polypeptides at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:26, where the polynucleotides encode polypeptides that confers drought resistance in the plants. Also provided are transgenic plants with increased drought resistance, methods for creating such plants, overexpressors, and underexpressors of ATHK1. Methods for enhancing drought resistance in plants are also provided.