Induction of plant resistance of field crops by exogenous application of methyl jasmonate and methyl salicylate

Methyl jasmonate and methyl salicylate are two analogs of elicitors jasmonate acid and salicylic acid that are known in control settings to induce plant resistance. In high tunnel conditions, we used a replicated block design to study Capsicum annuum and Lycopersicon lycopersicum crops that were treated with two separate applications of Botanigard, MeJa, MeSA, MeSa and Botanigard, MeJa and Botanigard and Water with ETOH. Aphid, insect predators and fruit production were variables measured over the field season. Higher aphid and predator density were observed on Capsicum annuum plants. Capsicum annuum was found to be more attractive to predators and produced more volatiles. Lycopersicon lycopersicum was found to have more persistence against aphid pests.