The effect of different concentrations of methyl jasmonate on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and total protein in basil

A completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was conducted at greenhouse of Urmia University in 2013 to study the effect of different methyl jasmonate concentrations (0, 0.1 and 0.5 mM) on the activity of enzymes polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and total protein content in basil. Activity of the enzymes and total protein content was measured at flowering stage 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours after foliar application of methyl jasmonate. Analysis of data was carried out in a split plot in time design which methyl jasmonate concentrations and sampling times were considered as main and sub-plots, respectively. The results of the investigation showed the maximum activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and guaiacol peroxidase at concentrations of 0.5 and 0.1 mM, respectively, 48 and 72 hours after spraying. The effect of methyl jasmonate on the activity of polyphenol oxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and total protein content was significant (P≤0.01). The most activity of the catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and total protein obtained in a concentration of 0.5 mM methyl jasmonate. Significant differences were observed among sampling times after methyl jasmonate spraying for catalase activity which increased 48 and 72 hours after spraying (P≤0.05). Therefore, methyl jasmonate spraying with a concentration of 0.5 mM could increase the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and total protein in basil.