Aldehyde dehydrogenase family members ALDH15A1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae YHR039C) and ALDH22A1 (Arabidopsis thaliana, EC=1.2.1.3), and similar sequences, are in this CD. Significant improvement of stress tolerance in tobacco plants was observed by overexpressing the ALDH22A1 gene from maize (Zea mays) and was accompanied by a reduction of malondialdehyde derived from cellular lipid peroxidation.