Transcriptional control of the expression of stress-responsive genes is a crucial part of the plant response to a range of abiotic and biotic stresses. Research carried out in the past few years has been productive in identifying transcription factors that are important for regulating plant responses to these stresses. These studies have also revealed some of the complexity and overlap in the responses to different stresses, and are likely to lead to new ways to enhance crop tolerance to disease and environmental stress.