Plant response to jasmonates: current developments and their role in changing environment

Abstract

Jasmonates (JAs) are universally known lipid-derived phytohormones which regulate overall plant growth under both abiotic and biotic stresses. They are helpful in developing root and reproductive system in plants. Also, JA signaling triggers gene expression. They coordinate with other plant hormones under changing environmental conditions. JAs alone or sometimes in combination with other plant hormones ameliorate stress conditions. They also participate in upregulation of antioxidant metabolism, osmolyte synthesis, and metabolite accumulation. Pretreatment and/or exogenous application of JA exhibited multi-stress resilience under changing environment as well as other biotic stress conditions. The present review focuses on our current understanding of how plants respond to JAs’ application under extremely low or high temperature, highly alkaline condition, or even when attacked by herbivorous insects/animals. As a consequence of injury, the plant produces defense molecules to protect itself from damage. Their major role and mechanism of action under heavy metal/metalloid-induced toxicity have also been discussed.