Morphological, Transcriptomic and Proteomic responses of contrasting rice genotypes towards drought stress

•Reduction in xylem area as well as xylem number in drought tolerant varieties under drought stress.•Lower stomatal density in drought tolerant varieties.•Significant higher root length, area, diameter and volume of root in drought-tolerant indica variety.•Proline content in the roots found to be significantly higher in drought-tolerant varieties.•Five proteins (including chitinase) identified that are induced during drought stress.