Impact of jasmonates on safety, productivity and physiology of food crops

Background: Jasmonates are considered as safe compounds and new findings indicate the potential health promoting effects of these phytohormones. The key roles of JAs in enhancing quality parameters, productivity and the resistance mechanisms against different pests, diseases and environmental stresses in different crops during growth and postharvest stage, have been illustrated in recent years. Recent studies indicate that JAs are potential alternatives for chemicals in pest and disease control programs of crop production systems. Scope and approach: The present review reports the recent advances in studies concerning the positive effects of JAs on enhancing the quality, stress resistance mechanisms, phytochemical contents and health promoting properties of the food crops. Furthermore, the mode of action of JAs in activating the anti-insect and antipathogen systems as well as crop quality parameters and the effects of JAs in increasing crop productivity by decreasing the susceptibility of crops to chilling injury, water loss and postharvest losses will be illustrated. Key findings and conclusions: After critically reviewing the potential role of JAs in enhancing health promoting capacity, safety and productivity of food crops, we conclude that JAs are good alternatives for chemical pesticides, fungicides and preservatives in food production systems. Since very low levels of JAs is required and different kinds of compounds, liquid or gas, is available, then the use of these compounds in different food production systems is practical and cost effective.