Methyl Jasmonate as Chemical Elicitor of Induced Responses and Anti-Herbivory Resistance in Young Conifer Trees

J.M. Mérillon and K.G. Ramawat (eds.), Plant Defence: Biological Control, Progress in Biological Control 12, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-1933-0_15, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012 Abstract Exogenous application of phytohormones such as methyl jasmonate (MJ) can induce chemical and anatomical changes that lead to a reduction in insect herbivory and disease incidence in herbaceous and woody plants. However, exogenous application of MJ also produces notable disadvantages in terms of plant growth and physiology. In this chapter we review current published literature about the effects of exogenous application of MJ in defence responses and herbivory resistance of young conifer trees, as well as their implications for plant growth and physiology. Moreover, we proposed a series of recommendations for the use of MJ as chemical elicitor in young conifer trees.