Analyzing the Effects of Jasmonic Acid and Chemicals in the JA Pathway on the Systemic Acquired Resistance of Moss and Pathogen Related Genes

Indianapolis, IN

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a defense system used by plants that results in increased resistance to future pathogen infection following an initial pathogen exposure. SAR in vascular plants has been well documented, but recently non-vascular plants have demonstrated the ability to generate the SAR response, also. It is believed that plant hormones in the JA pathway are able to activate the SAR response in vascular plants. The non-vascular plant, Amblystegium serpens, will be used as a model to test if SAR is triggered by JA and two other molecules in the JA pathway, 12-oxo-phytodieonic acid, and methyl jasmonate. This research will develop our understanding about the previously unknown vascular system in mosses to enhance our appreciation of plant defense systems.