# Jasmonates Alleviate Abiotic Stress and Enhance Fruit Quality in Crop Plants: An Updated Review

## TL;DR

Jasmonates help crops resist environmental stress and improve fruit quality before and after harvest.

## Contribution

This review highlights new insights into how jasmonates improve stress resistance and fruit quality in crops.

## Key findings

- MeJa applications regulate physiological processes during fruit growth and ripening.
- Preharvest MeJa increases crop yield and fruit quality.
- Postharvest MeJa reduces chilling injury in cold-stored fruits.

## Abstract

Jasmonic acid (JA) and its derivative, methyl jasmonate (MeJa), are naturally occurring plant hormones involved in alleviating abiotic stresses, such as exposure to extreme temperatures (cold or heat), flooding and drought. JA content increased following MeJa applications at pre- or postharvest, regulating several physiological and biochemical processes during fruit growth and ripening. As a preharvest treatment, MeJa increased crop yield and improved the organoleptic quality of the fruit. Regarding postharvest applications, MeJa reduced the chilling injury symptoms in sensitive fruits when they were stored at cold temperatures. In addition, there is some evidence of crosstalk between JA and other plant hormones. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms by which jasmonates contribute to plant stress resistance, regulating the biosynthesis and metabolism of abiotic stress and improving fruit quality.