The effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on changes in polyamines content and energy status and their
relation to disease resistance was investigated. Freshly harvested loquat fruit were treated with
10 lmol l1 MeJA and wound inoculated with Colletotrichum acutatum spore suspension
(1.0 105 spores ml1
) after 24 h, and then stored at 20 C for 6 days. MeJA treatment significantly
reduced decay incidence. MeJA treated fruit manifested higher contents of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine
and spermine) compared with the control fruit, during storage. MeJA treatment also maintained
higher levels of adenosine triphosphate, and suppressed an increase in adenosine monophosphate content
in loquat fruit. These results suggest that MeJA treatment may inhibit anthracnose rot by increasing
polyamine content and maintaining the energy status.