In a transgenic plant, a stress-responsive promoter containing CE3 and ABRE2 from HVA1 ABRC3 and CE1 from HVA22 ABRC1, directs low background expression of a gene under normal growth conditions, but is highly inducible by an abiotic stress, such as abscisic acid, dehydration, salt or cold. Compared with the wild type plant, the transgenic plant that expresses a stress-resistant gene under the control of the stress-responsive promoter is more resistant and/or tolerant to abiotic stresses and exhibits similar or higher growth rate and strength under regular or normal environmental conditions.