Provided are zinc finger protein transcription factor DST having the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, conservative variants and homologous polypeptides thereof. Also provided are DNA sequence encoding the transcription factor DST, vector or host cell comprising the DNA sequence, cis-acting element binding to the DST, inhibitor or non-conservative variant of the transcription factor DST or encoding sequence thereof, and use of the inhibitor or non-conservative variant for improving the drought and salt tolerance in plant.