Jasmonate-induced defense in tomato and cabbage deterred Spodoptera litura (Noctuidae) growth

• Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) can significantly trigger plant-induction defensive responses.
• MeJA exerted various influences on the foliar nutrient and anti-nutrient compounds.
• MeJA could induce plants to produce some novel defense mechanisms and have dramatic effects on insect herbivores.

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) could trigger plant induction response. However, the induction response may vary among plant species. In this study, we assessed the effects of MeJA and host plant species on plant-induction responses and performance of the subsequent insect herbivore Spodoptera litura. Two plant species (cabbage and tomato) were sprayed with MeJA and foliage from different treated plants was fed to a third-instar S. litura larvae. In addition, the foliage was also collected during the bioassay to assess the foliar chemistry. The results indicated that the MeJA application and plant species exerted various influences on the foliar nutrient and anti-nutrient compounds, and affected the relative growth rate of S. litura. Moreover, the MeJA employed a marked effect on the plant's induction response. In summary, applying MeJA could induce the similar plant-induction response in various plant species and subsequently deter the insect growth performance.

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