Strigolactone and salicylic acid regulate the expression of multiple stress-related genes and enhance the drought resistance of cherry rootstocks

•Drought decreased the photosynthetic parameters and improved the antioxidant enzyme activities of cherry rootstocks.•Strigolactone (SLs) and salicylic acid (SA) alleviate drought stress of cherry rootstocks.•Some important DEGs, such as ABA-, antioxidant enzyme-, osmotic adjustment-related genes, and stress-related transcription factors were identified.