The invention discloses maize bZIP transcriptional factors, namely, ABP2, ABP4 and ABP9, the genes encoding these factors, and the use thereof. The transcriptional factors are proteins having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, or 6, or proteins derived therefrom by substitution, deletion or addition of one or more amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, or 6, and having the same activity as a protein shown by SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, or 6. The ABP2, ABP4 and ABP9 genes encoding these factors, respectively, are the DNA sequences having an identity of more than 90% with a sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 or 5 and the encoded proteins having such same functions. These genes are important for breeding plant varieties with an enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses and for improving plant tolerance to abiotic stresses.