RBOH1-dependent apoplastic H2O2 mediates epigallocatechin-3-gallate-induced abiotic stress tolerance in Solanum lycopersicum L.

•Exogenous EGCG alleviates multiple abiotic stress, e.g. cold, heat, salt and drought.•EGCG-induced enhanced stress tolerance is attributed to the improved ROS scavenging.•EGCG preferentially triggered apoplastic H2O2 production via NADPH oxidase activation.•Silencing of RBOH1 compromised EGCG-induced reduction of ROS under abiotic stress.•RBOH1-dependent apoplastic H2O2 is critical for EGCG-induced abiotic stress tolerance.