The researchers made plants more resistant to drought and salt stress by adding a gene called MYB15 to Arabidopsis thaliana. This gene made the plants more sensitive to a stress hormone called abscisic acid, which helps them survive better in tough conditions. MYB15 also affected the growth of roots and the closure of stomata, the tiny openings on leaves. The gene increased the expression of genes involved in stress responses, leading to improved survival and reduced water loss in the plants. Overall, the study suggests that boosting certain genes related to stress responses can enhance drought and salt tolerance in plants.