GhWRKY46 from upland cotton positively regulates the drought and salt stress responses in plant

•The gene GhWRKY46, encoding WRKY transcription factor protein, was identified to be associated with drought and salt stresses.•The transcription factor GhWRKY46 locates in the nucleus and has transcriptional activation activity in yeast.•GhWRKY46-overexpressing Arabidopsis enhanced tolerance to salt and drought as well as the expression of the stress-related genes.•GhWRKY46 silencing caused higher sensibility to salt stress and MDA level as well as lower activities of catalase and peroxidasein cotton.•GhWRKY46 positively regulates the responses to drought and salt stresses.