Methods and compositions for applying essential oils and naturally occurring compounds to plants to activate endogenous plant pathogen defense pathways

摘要

Compositions and methods are provided for activation of endogenous plant pathogen resistance pathways, including systemic acquired resistance, the hypersensitive reaction response and the upregulation of pathogenesis related proteins. The compositions comprise as active agents one or more naturally occurring compounds or essential oils selected from cedar oil, cinnamon oil, grapefruit oil, grapefruit seed extract oil, ferulic acid and acetyl salicylic acid. The methods involve directly applying formulations comprising one or more of these active agents to a Gymnosperm to induce endogenous plant defense pathways as a therapeutic or prophylactic treatment against fungal pathogens such as pitch canker and white pine blister rust.