Methyl jasmonate reduces the damage caused by low temperature combined with low light: By regulating photosynthetic capacity and hormone levels of pepper seedlings (Capsicum annuum L.).

Methyl jasmonate at 200 μmol L-1 significantly enhances photosynthesis and hormone regulation, improving low temperature and low light tolerance in Capsicum annuum seedlings.

• Why it matters: Low temperature combined with low light limits pepper growth and yield, posing a challenge for protected vegetable cultivation. Understanding stress response mechanisms can help improve crop resilience and productivity.
• What they did: The study applied 200 μmol L-1 MJ pretreatment to pepper seedlings under LL stress (10 °C/5 °C, 12 h/12 h), measuring photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, element contents, hormone levels, gene expression, and enzyme activities.
• The result: MJ pretreatment increased net photosynthetic rate by 284.61%, stomatal conductance by 62.77%, and improved chlorophyll content, hormone levels, and gene expression, thereby enhancing low-temperature, low-light tolerance in pepper seedlings.