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ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of methyljasmonate on some selected biochemical parameters in pathogen-infested palms. A total of thirty young oil palm seedlings were purchased from the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and divided into five groups of six seedlings each: normal control, pathogen, methyljasmonate, pathogen + methyl jasmonate, pathogen + methyljasmonate + fertilizer groups. The palms were infested with Thielaviopsis paradoxa and thereafter treated with methyljasmonate. The methyljasmonate was applied on the palm leaves. Plant leaves collected few days after methyljasmonate application were used for biochemical analysis. The results showed that the pathogen Thielaviopsis paradoxa significantly reduced the concentrations of total sugar, total carbohydrates, proline, carotene, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll a and b, as well as vitamins A and E in the young oil palm seedlings (p < 0.05). However, treatment with methyljasmonic acid markedly increased the concentrations of the nutrients/biomolecules, when compared with pathogen control (p < 0.05). The findings of this study have shown that methyljasmonate can support the growth, development and survival of young oil palm seedlings. It can enhance the nutrient content via stimulation of normal metabolic and physiological processes in the oil palms.
