Application of Jasmonates in the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Horticulture Crops

Abstract

The agriculture sector is regarded as the backbone of progressive economic growth, catering to increasing food demand. In this century, in order to fulfill the food demand of the growing population, various chemical-based agricultural inputs are used that have detrimental impacts on the environment. Our dependence on these toxic chemical fertilizers and pesticides has not only encouraged the growth of chemical industries, but these life-threatening chemicals are even destroying natural resources, thereby disturbing the ecological balance. The use of biofertilizers could solve this problem of feeding an increasing population sustainably. Among various practices for the sustainable development of the agriculture and horticulture sectors, phytohormones are the most recent and reliable means. For the past 25 years, phytohormones have become an essential tier of sustainable agriculture. The jasmonate class of lipid-derived phytohormones show great potential in sustainable agriculture because of their active participation in plant growth, development, and defense mechanisms, and are reported to be non-toxic, non-mutagenic, and easily metabolized. The increased attention in the research of jasmonic acid metabolites, their biosynthesis, and perception has led to their escalated use in crop production and pest management in the past decade. In recent years, considerable success has been attained in the commercial use of jasmonates in various crop improvement processes such as flowering, fruiting, harvesting, and post-harvesting of fruits and vegetables. Among various derivatives of JA, MeJA and prohydrojasmon are the most actively used synthetic derivatives. This chapter aims to site the existing roles served by jasmonates in the field of agriculture and horticulture for attaining adequate growth, physiology, and protection from various environmental stresses. Thus, unveiling these comprehensive approaches to JA-mediated sustainable agriculture and horticulture, a great many new applications of jasmonic acid can be expected.