Transcriptional repressor involved in the inhibition of plant growth under abiotic stress conditions. Can repress the expression of various genes, including osmotic stress and abscisic acid-repressive genes and auxin-inducible genes, by binding to their promoter regions in a DNA sequence-specific manner. Highly expressed in roots and at lower levels in leaves and stems. By abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, dehydration, salt and cold. Plants overexpressing AZF1 have increased sensitivity to salt stress and barely survive under high salt conditons.