Jasmonates and insect control

Jasmonates and insect control

Jasmonates are a class of plant hormones that play a crucial role in plant responses to stress, including defense against insect herbivores. They are involved in signaling pathways that regulate plant defenses, particularly against chewing insects and other herbivores. Jasmonates help plants mount a defense response to minimize damage and deter further herbivory activity. Here’s how jasmonates are involved in insect control:

1. Inducing Defense Responses:

• When a plant is attacked by herbivores, it produces jasmonates as a signaling molecule to trigger various defense responses.
• Jasmonates induce the production of defense-related proteins, secondary metabolites, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that deter or repel herbivores.

2. Activation of Defense Genes:

• Jasmonates activate specific defense-related genes, leading to the production of defense compounds like protease inhibitors, polyphenols, and terpenes.
• Protease inhibitors interfere with the digestive enzymes of herbivores, reducing their ability to digest plant tissues.

3. Regulation of Chemical Defense Compounds:

• Jasmonates regulate the biosynthesis of chemical compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, which are toxic or repellent to herbivores.
• These compounds deter feeding, affect insect growth, or act as antifeedants, disrupting the herbivore’s feeding behavior.

4. Production of Volatile Compounds:

• Plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after jasmonate signaling, acting as airborne signals to neighboring plants to induce defense responses in them as well.
• VOCs can also attract natural enemies of herbivores, such as parasitoids and predators, aiding in biological control.

5. Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR):

• Jasmonates can induce systemic acquired resistance (SAR), a plant defense response that provides long-lasting protection against a broad spectrum of pathogens and herbivores.
• SAR primes the plant’s defenses, allowing a quicker and more robust response upon subsequent attacks.

6. Cross-Talk with Other Hormones:

• Jasmonates interact with other plant hormones, such as salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene, in a complex signaling network.
• This hormonal crosstalk helps orchestrate the plant’s defense responses against various stressors, including insect herbivory.

7. Application for Insect Control:

• Insect Repellent: Some jasmonate-induced compounds act as natural insect repellents, discouraging insects from feeding on or laying eggs on the plants.
• Biopesticides: Synthetic or naturally derived jasmonates can be used to develop biopesticides that mimic the plant’s defense mechanisms, providing an eco-friendly approach to insect control.

By understanding and harnessing the signaling and defensive role of jasmonates, researchers and farmers can develop strategies to protect crops from insect herbivory and reduce damage through bioinspired approaches.

Talk to your OMEX representative today to learn more about how you can improve insect control on your farm and prevent the development of resistance to active you so rely on.