Exogenous Methyl Jasmonate Mediates Secondary Metabolic Reprogramming to Enhance Resistance in Tea Plants

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Biology
• Entomology

Background:

• Tea plants (Camellia sinensis) face significant yield and quality reductions due to insect pests.
• Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a plant defense signaling molecule, but its comprehensive effects on tea are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of exogenous MeJA on tea plant growth, pest resistance, and quality.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MeJA's effects using transcriptome analysis.

Main Methods:

• Field experiments applying varying MeJA concentrations (0.02-20 mM) to 'Zhongcha 108' tea plants.
• Assessing growth traits, quality components (free amino acids, soluble sugars), and resistance to pests.
• Transcriptome analysis to understand molecular responses.

Main Results:

• Optimal MeJA concentrations (0.2-2 mM) improved bud morphology (shorter internodes, thicker stems, reduced leaf angles).
• Key quality components remained unaffected within the study's timeframe.
• Enhanced resistance to tea green leafhopper and tea orange gall mite was observed.

Conclusions:

• Establishes an effective MeJA concentration range for balancing pest resistance and growth modulation in tea plants.
• Provides practical guidance for MeJA application in tea plantations for improved pest management and processing suitability.
• Highlights the potential of MeJA as a tool for sustainable tea cultivation.