AbstractA series of N‐(phosphonacetyl)amine derivatives were synthesized and screened for plant‐growth regulating activity on Lepidium sativum L. and Cucumis sativus L. Aromatic N‐(phosphonoacetyl)amines. which may be considered as possible analogues of N‐acylaniline herbicides obtained by replacement of their acyl group by the phosphonacetyl moiety, exhibited significant or moderate herbicidal activity. In contrast, N‐(phosphonoacetyl)amino acids and N‐(phosphonoacetyl)aminophosphonic acids promoted the growth of L. sativum and C. sa