Spraying methyl jasmonate on fruit trees boosts harvest, research finds
Spraying persimmon trees with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) can result in healthier, longer-lasting fruit, with increased antioxidants, a new Edith Cowan University (ECU) study has found.
MeJA is a food-safe organic compound extracted from jasmine oil. The compound can be used to regulate environmental stress in fruit production, modulate fruit growth and development, and improve fruit ripening.
In the first study of its kind, now in Food Chemistry, Ph.D. student Mr. Mahmood Ul Hasan applied MeJA as a preharvest spray application to the persimmon cultivars "Yoho" and "Jiro" grown in Western Australia, four weeks before their anticipated harvest to evaluate its effect on developing fruit color and enhancing bioactive compounds.
"The application of MeJA resulted in bright fruit color and enhanced ripening even after one week of spray application in 'Yoho' and two weeks in 'Jiro' persimmons, without compromising fruit quality. By enhancing the color of early maturing cultivars, we are extending the season for those fruits by a few weeks, allowing growers to earn more income," Mahmood said.
MeJA has previously been reported for other fruit crops, including apples, oranges, mangoes, grapes and pomegranates.
Mahmood noted that in Yoho and Jiro persimmons, the preharvest spray application of MeJA resulted in significant changes in fruit peel color harvested at different intervals until commercial harvest.
Australia is among the top 15 persimmon-growing countries in the world. In Western Australia, the harvest season usually commences in March for early season maturing cultivars.
The production and availability of persimmon is consumer-driven and depends on demand in supermarkets. Advancing the harvest maturity of early maturing cultivars is a pre-requisite to attain early fruit color development and trigger early market arrival to ensure higher economic returns to growers and expand the market window of the fresh fruit, Mahmood said.
Increased health benefits
In addition to enhancing fruit color, the pre-harvest application of MeJA also resulted in increased health-promoting compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidants in the persimmon fruit.
In addition, Mahmood along with the Horticulture team at ECU have identified a gap in research on the implications of MeJA as a preharvest spray application on the development of color and quality in fruit crops. They spent more than six months and compiled a comprehensive review.
Their , published in Scientia Horticulturae, reflects the effects of preharvest MeJa application on advancing fruit color and improving the phytochemical quality of harvested fruit, while also displaying a potential to alleviate chilling injury in cold-stored fruits.
More information: Mahmood Ul Hasan et al, Methyl jasmonate advances fruit ripening, colour development, and improves antioxidant quality of 'Yoho' and 'Jiro' persimmon, Food Chemistry (2024).
Mahmood Ul Hasan et al, Preharvest methyl jasmonate application regulates ripening, colour development and improves phytochemical quality of fruits: A review, Scientia Horticulturae (2024).
Journal information: Food Chemistry
Provided by Edith Cowan University
