Disclosed is a method for promoting the growth of a plant which comprises treating the plant with an effective amount of a compound represented by general formula (1), wherein the substituents are as described in the specification, which include compounds N-methyl-2-[2-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]phenyl-2-methoxyacetamide and (2) N-methyl-2-[2-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]phenyl(2R)-2-methoxyacetamide. Plant growth is promoted by spraying compounds of formula (1) onto soil or seeds where plants have been, or may be exposed to abiotic stress.
