PvNAC1 increases biomass and enhances salt tolerance by decreasing Na + accumulation and promoting ROS scavenging in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.).

•PvNAC1 cDNA was isolated from switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and its protein was located in the nucleus with the C-terminal region containing a transcriptional activation domain.•Overexpression of PvNAC1 increased biomass yield and cellulose content whereas suppressing expression of PvNAC1 by RNAi reduced the biomass dry weight.•Overexpression of PvNAC1 showed more tolerance to salt stress by reducing Na + content in shoot and root, and enhancing ROS scavenging enzyme activities, while RNAi plants were more sensitive to salt stress.•These results show that PvNAC1 functions as a transcriptional activator in response to salt stress and growth.