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Jasmonic Acid: A Sentinel for Stress Response or a New-Age Tool for Sustainable Agriculture

Submitted:

14 October 2025

Posted:

31 October 2025

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Abstract
Jasmonic acid (JA), a lipid-derived phytohormone, functions as a central coordinator of plant growth, development, and adaptive stress responses. This concise review outlines its historical discovery, biosynthetic pathway, and versatile signaling network that integrates morphological and physiological regulation. Acting as a primary messenger during both biotic and abiotic stresses, JA along with its key derivative, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) has gained increasing relevance in sustainable crop management. Recent advances highlight its incorporation into biostimulant formulations aimed at improving nutrient efficiency and plant resilience. Moreover, the capacity of JA to alleviate ammonium toxicity and reinforce systemic defense responses positions it as a promising component of climate-smart agriculture. Collectively, current evidence portrays JA as a sentinel molecule bridging stress biology with emerging eco-agricultural practices, offering new perspectives for environmentally resilient crop production. This short communication summarizes recent advances on the role of jasmonic acid in plant stress adaptation and sustainable agriculture.
Keywords: 
jasmonic acid
;  
methyl jasmonate
;  
plant stress physiology
;  
biostimulants
;  
sustainable agriculture
;  
climate-smart crops
Subject: 
Biology and Life Sciences  -   Plant Sciences
Jasmonates comprise a group of lipid-derived cyclopentanones that belong to the oxylipin family and occur ubiquitously throughout the plant kingdom. They play pivotal roles in coordinating developmental and environmental responses (Kaushik et al., 2022; Sharma and Laxmi, 2016; Wasternack and Hause, 2013). Functionally, they are considered major hormonal mediators of plant immunity, synthesized from membrane-bound fatty acids and perceived by protein receptors that trigger intricate signal-transduction cascades (Wasternack, 2015; Wasternack and Hause, 2013).
The history of jasmonate research dates back to 1899, when Hesse and Müller isolated an unidentified ketone, later named jasmone from the essential oil of Jasminum grandiflorum (Hesse and Müller, 1899). Subsequent analyses revealed that purified jasmone alone lacked the typical floral scent of jasmine, suggesting that additional volatile compounds were missing (Omelianski, 1923; Power, 1921). In 1962, Demole et al. identified methyl jasmonate (MeJA), the methyl ester of jasmonic acid (JA), as a fragrant constituent of jasmine oil. A few years later, Aldridge et al. (1971) isolated free JA from culture filtrates of the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae, confirming its natural occurrence beyond floral tissues.
In higher plants, jasmonic acid (JA) and its metabolites are actively distributed across a wide range of tissues, with reproductive organs exhibiting the highest concentrations. Leaf tissues generally contain greater amounts than roots, primarily because JA biosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts (Bell et al., 1995). The endogenous concentration of JA in higher plants is typically below 10 µM (0.01-3 ng g⁻¹ fresh weight) and is transported throughout the plant in both liquid and vapour phases to coordinate growth, development, and responses to external stimuli (Sembdner and Parthier, 1993; Mason et al., 1992; Farmer and Ryan, 1990; Vick and Zimmerman, 1987).
Since its identification, JA has been extensively examined for its wide-ranging physiological functions. It participates in vegetative growth (Sirhindi et al., 2020), trichome initiation (Yoshida et al., 2009), senescence (He et al., 2002), reproductive development (Schubert et al., 2019), sex determination (Wasternack, 2020), root elongation (Xu et al., 2020), and fruit ripening (Kondo et al., 2000). In addition, its role in oxidative defense under diverse stress conditions has been well established (Sirhindi et al., 2016).Recent studies on JA and its derivatives, including methyl jasmonate (MeJA), jasmonoyl-isoleucine (JA-Ile), and cis-jasmone (CJ) have deepened our understanding of the complex JA-mediated signaling networks that modulate gene expression and ensure plant survival under stress (Kaushik et al., 2024; Sood, 2023; Vincent et al., 2022).
Beyond their established role as key phytohormones, jasmonates have also attracted interest for their potential pharmacological effects in humans. Several studies report that jasmonic acid and its derivatives exhibit selective inhibition of tumour-cell proliferation while sparing normal cells (Cohen and Flescher, 2009; Wasternack, 2015). Among the natural jasmonates, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) has emerged as the most potent anti-cancer compound, capable of disrupting cancer-cell migration and inducing apoptosis (Raviv et al., 2013). Furthermore, investigations by Gunjegaonkar et al. (2018) demonstrated the therapeutic potential of MeJA in controlling cancerous cell growth. However, these findings are currently limited to in-vitro experiments, and clinical applications in oncology have yet to be realized.
Over the past four decades, jasmonic acid and its diverse derivatives have continued to fascinate plant physiologists, inspiring research on their potential use in sustainable crop production (Sahil et al., 2021; Moreira et al., 2019; Paprocka et al., 2018; Wasternack and Song, 2017). Increasing evidence now supports the integration of jasmonates into horticultural and agricultural practices for managing various biotic stresses, a strategy that complements the core principles of sustainable agriculture (Moreira et al., 2019; Sobhy et al., 2017; Gewehr, 2014).
The agricultural applications of jasmonates have expanded considerably in recent years. Salts of jasmonic acid, particularly its potassium and sodium derivatives are now utilized in bio-pesticide formulations designed to protect plants from fungal pathogens and enhance resistance to a range of biotic stressors (Gewehr, 2014). In addition, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) has been reported to improve the pharmacological efficacy of conventional pesticides (Ghasemi Pirbalouti et al., 2014). Several bio-pesticides, including chitosan, maleic hydrazide, and spermine, incorporate jasmonates as synergistic or complementary components to strengthen plant immunity and promote stress tolerance (Gewehr, 2014). It is well recognized that excessive application of chemical fertilizers such as urea or other ammonia-based compounds can limit crop productivity by inducing ammonium toxicity. In contrast, the recent incorporation of jasmonic acid and its derivatives into biofertilizer formulations has demonstrated significant potential to mitigate ammonium stress. This effect is achieved through the activation of induced systemic resistance (ISR), leading to enhanced ethylene synthesis and elevated intracellular calcium fluxes that help neutralize ammonia accumulation (Sidhu et al., 2022; Marks, 2012).
Although the development of jasmonate-enriched agricultural products is still in its early stages, ongoing research focusing on the perception and transduction mechanisms of both biotic and abiotic stress responses under JA treatment, both individually and as combined stressors is paving the way toward environmentally responsible and sustainable agricultural practices.

Conclusion

Jasmonic acid has evolved from a simple plant metabolite into a vital regulator of resilience and sustainability. Its expanding use in bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers reflects its promising role as a natural tool for climate-smart agriculture. Further, continued exploration of JA-mediated signaling offers hope for crops that can endure stress while sustaining productivity, an encouraging step toward a greener, self-reliant future.
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Figure 1. Agrochemicals and Biostimulants derived from Jasmonic acid. (Sidhu et al., 2022; Moreira et al., 2019; Paprocka et al., 2018; Sobhy et al., 2017; Gewehr, 2014).
Figure 1. Agrochemicals and Biostimulants derived from Jasmonic acid. (Sidhu et al., 2022; Moreira et al., 2019; Paprocka et al., 2018; Sobhy et al., 2017; Gewehr, 2014).
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