Abstract: The present invention relates to inductible promoters for use in the control of heterologous genes in transformed plants. Suitable inducible promoters art those which are responsive to low levels of an environmentally acceptable and non-phytoxic inducing agent, and which also demonstrates a low level of developmentally or environmentally induced expression. A preferred prompter naturally drives the expression of a 21.3 kDa protein in Asparagus officinalis or an equivalent protein from the Lillaceae or Amaryllidaceae families. Under the control of a promoter of the invention, a gene will be expressed upon induction by SA or BTH, but preferably will not be developmentally expressed, systemically activated upon pathogen infection, or in response to ABA, ethylene, oxidative or osmotic stresses, or wounding.