Transgenic overexpression of rubisco subunits and the assembly factor RAF1 are beneficial to recovery from drought stress in maize

•Ectopic expression of Rubisco is neutral during water stress in maize plants.•Increased Rubisco content improves maize recovery from drought.•Transgenic maize RAF1 improves the ability to recover from drought conditions.•A clear growth penalty and poor recovery were observed in RAF1 normal-level plants.