The kinase CIPK11 functions as a positive regulator in cadmium stress response in Arabidopsis

•CIPK11 expression activated by cadmium (Cd) stress and played a positive regulatory role in tolerance to Cd stress.•ABA marker genes were higher up-regulated in CIPK11-overexpression plants.•Exogenous ABA made plants more tolerant to Cd.•ABA-producing genes were activated in CIPK11-overexpression plants.•ABA inhibited the expression of IRT1 by inhibiting the expression of FIT and bHLH039.