Is there a role for jasmonic acid in induced resistance against broad mites in pot azalea?

Abstract: Rhododendron simsii hybrid or pot azalea is the most important flowering pot plant in Belgium, with an annual production of approximately 35 million plants. Problems caused by broad mites (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) have become increasingly important in recent years. Since European legislation forces growers to implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in their cultivation process from 2014 onwards, several new strategies are being devised for the control of broad mites in pot azalea. One potential new strategy consists of eliciting induced resistance in pot azalea by applying the natural hormone jasmonic acid. Here we present the first results in which we test the role of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) as an elicitor inducing the jasmonic acid pathway in Rhododendron simsii hybrid.