Method of inducing plant defense mechanisms

摘要

The expression of plant defense proteins is induced in plant tissue by contacting plants to be treated with a defense protein inducing agent. The inducing agent, which may be jasmonic acid, lower alkyl esters of jasmonic acid or jasmonic acid-like derivative compounds, induces the expression of genes in the plants resulting in the production of defense proteins, such as proteinase inhibitors, thionins, chitinases and beta -glucanases. Plants may be contacted with the inducing agent by direct application to plant tissue or by airborne transmission of the inducing agent.