Identification of the SHINE clade of AP2/ERF domain transcription factors genes in Carica papaya; Their gene expression and their possible role in wax accumulation and water deficit stress tolerance in a wild and a commercial papaya genotypes

•Carica papaya shows a reduction in the number of its SHINE family members in C. papaya compared to A. thaliana.•The CpSHN clade contains a highly conserved single AP2 domain.•The wild genotype showed a superior ability to recover from water stress in most of the physiological parameters.•A positive correlation exists between wax deposition and drought tolerance in the Wild papaya genotype.•A positive correlation exists between expression of CpSHN1 and CpSHN2 with increased wax deposition.