Methyl jasmonate (abbreviated MeJA) is a volatile organic compound used in plant defense and many diverse developmental pathways such as seed germination, root growth, flowering, fruit ripening, and senescence.

[3] MeJA can induce the plant to produce multiple different types of defense chemicals such as phytoalexins (antimicrobial),[4] nicotine or protease inhibitors.

[6] External application of methyl jasmonate has been shown to induce plant defensive responses against both biotic and abiotic stressors.

[8] External application of methyl jasmonate has also shown a propensity for inducing an increased resistance to insect herbivory in some agricultural crops, such as brassicas and tobacco.

[9] In recent experiments, methyl jasmonate has been shown to be effective at preventing bacterial growth in plants when applied in a spray to the leaves.