Effect of Selected Plant Elicitors on Induced Resistance in Mustard Against Lipaphis Erysimi (Kaltenbach)

Effect of Selected Plant Elicitors on Induced Resistance in Mustard Against Lipaphis Erysimi (Kaltenbach) | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Effect of Selected Plant Elicitors on Induced Resistance in Mustard Against Lipaphis Erysimi (Kaltenbach) Harvinder Singh Tiwana, Sarwan Kumar, Sanjula Sharma This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9256770/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Aphids constitute one of the major biotic constraints limiting the productivity of rapeseed–mustard, with the mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) causing substantial yield losses. Although chemical insecticides are commonly employed for aphid management, their indiscriminate use poses ecological and resistance-related concerns, necessitating sustainable alternatives. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of plant defense elicitors, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), in inducing resistance in mustard ( Brassica juncea L.) against L. erysimi under field conditions. Foliar applications of SA and JA were assessed for their impact on aphid population dynamics, biochemical defense responses, and yield attributes over two consecutive cropping seasons. Both elicitors significantly reduced aphid populations compared to untreated and solvent controls, with maximum suppression recorded at 7 and 10 days after spraying. Enhanced levels of defense-related biochemical constituents in elicitor-treated plants indicated activation of induced resistance mechanisms. In addition to effective aphid suppression, SA and JA treatments resulted in improved plant growth and yield parameters. The findings suggest that exogenous application of SA and JA can effectively enhance resistance in mustard against aphid infestation while promoting crop performance. Therefore, plant defense elicitors represent a promising eco-friendly approach for integration into sustainable pest management strategies in rapeseed–mustard cultivation. Biological sciences/Ecology Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology Biological sciences/Plant sciences Jasmonic acid Salicylic acid Induced Resistance Plant defense Key Message • Exogenous application of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid significantly enhanced resistance of mustard plants against the turnip aphid under both field and laboratory conditions. • The findings indicate that insect-induced biotic stress stimulates increased production of reactive oxygen species and defensive phytochemicals in treated plants. • As host plant resistance remains a relatively underexplored research area, this study offers a novel perspective on host–insect interactions for developing sustainable pest management strategies. INTRODUCTION Indian mustard ( Brassica juncea (L.) Czern) is one of the most widely cultivated oilseed crops in India and neighboring countries and also holds considerable significance at the global level (Choudhary et al. 2023). Its commercial importance is expected to increase further owing to the rising consumer demand for mustard oil. India continues to rely heavily on imports to meet its edible oil requirements, which are projected to reach approximately 34 million tonnes by 2025. Of this demand, nearly 14 million tonnes are anticipated to be contributed by Indian mustard alone (Sharma et al. 2025a). Over the past three decades, the global area under oilseed cultivation has expanded by about 82 per cent, while production has increased by nearly 240 per cent (El-Hamidi and Zaher 2018). Mustard production has shown a substantial rise, increasing by about 37 per cent over three years and reaching 124.94 lakh tonnes, accompanied by a 7 per cent improvement in productivity (1419 kg ha⁻¹). Similarly, the area under rapeseed–mustard cultivation increased by 28 per cent between 2019–20 and 2022–23, contributing to a record agricultural export value of USD 53.145 billion during 2022–23 (Anonymous 2024). Despite these advances, the average productivity of mustard in India (1284 kg ha⁻¹) remains considerably lower than the global average of 1980 kg ha⁻¹ (DRMR 2024). This yield gap is attributed to multiple factors, including both abiotic and biotic stresses. Among the biotic constraints, the mustard or turnip aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach, 1843) (Homoptera: Aphididae), is regarded as one of the most destructive pests of rapeseed–mustard, particularly in subtropical regions such as India, where the crop is grown during the winter season (Blackman and Eastop 2000). In the northern plains of India, aphid activity extends from September to March, coinciding with critical growth and maturity stages of the crop. L. erysimi is a phloem-feeding insect that initially colonizes tender shoots, leaves, and inflorescences. Earlier studies have reported yield losses ranging from 66 to 96 per cent due to aphid infestation, along with a 5–6 per cent reduction in oil content (Malik and Deen 1998; Shylesha et al. 2006). The feeding process of L. erysimi involves stylet penetration through plant tissues to access phloem sap, with stylet movement occurring predominantly through intercellular spaces in the mesophyll. This feeding strategy causes minimal physical damage, allowing the aphid to remain largely undetected by the host plant. Maintaining phloem cell integrity during sap uptake is essential for successful and sustained feeding (Bhatia et al. 2011). From a crop improvement perspective, the development of resistant or tolerant cultivars remains a major objective, as such varieties form the backbone of effective and sustainable integrated pest management programmes. Cultivars combining high yield potential with moderate to high levels of resistance are particularly desirable for environmentally sound aphid management. Chemical insecticides are generally considered a measure of last resort and are recommended only when alternative management strategies prove ineffective, as their indiscriminate use has been shown to negatively affect beneficial parasitoids and predators (Sharma et al. 2019). The long-term co-evolution between plants and herbivorous insects has resulted in the evolution of complex plant defense mechanisms. These defenses are largely regulated by hormonal signaling networks that control the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Major signaling molecules involved in plant defense include salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene (ET), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Interactions among these signaling components, through synergistic and antagonistic pathways, enable plants to fine-tune their defense responses against herbivores (Morkunas et al. 2011). Plants also possess structural defenses, including spines, trichomes, and thorns, which act as physical barriers against insect herbivores. In addition, constitutive chemical defenses are continuously present within plant tissues and contribute to basal resistance (Karabourniotis et al. 2020; Kortbeek et al. 2021). Among the various defense signaling molecules, SA and JA play pivotal roles in the activation of systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Salicylic acid, in particular, has been associated with enhanced tolerance to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses (Muhammad et al. 2024). The concept of induced resistance has gained recognition as an efficient plant defense strategy that operates with minimal adverse effects on plant growth and development (Karban 2011). Induced resistance involves coordinated morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes in response to herbivore attack and is primarily regulated by phytohormonal signaling, especially through SA- and JA-mediated pathways (Yang et al. 2019). Several studies have demonstrated that exogenous application of elicitors such as SA and JA can successfully activate induced resistance in plants. These elicitors stimulate both direct and indirect defense mechanisms by modulating the octadecanoid and hexadecanoid pathways (Fürstenberg 2013). The evaluation of plant defense elicitors therefore offers promising opportunities for developing innovative and sustainable pest management strategies. Host plant resistance, particularly in rapeseed–mustard agroecosystems, represents an important yet underutilized component of sustainable pest management (Sharma 2007; Kumari et al. 2022). Elicitors such as SA and JA are known to prime plants for enhanced direct and indirect defenses, leading to broad-spectrum resistance against arthropod pests, including aphids. The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of selected plant elicitors in inducing host resistance against the mustard aphid in rapeseed–mustard. Furthermore, the investigation aimed to elucidate the associated biochemical and physiological changes following elicitor application. Insights gained from this study may contribute to a better understanding of defense activation mechanisms and support the development of mustard cultivars with improved tolerance to herbivory. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental site and crop details The study was conducted to evaluate the role of selected plant elicitors in inducing resistance in mustard against the mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi , through field, biological, and biochemical assessments. Field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Area of the Oilseeds Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, India (30.91°N, 75.86°E). The site represents the agro-climatic conditions of the central plain zone of Punjab and is well suited for rapeseed–mustard cultivation. Experiments were conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023–24 and 2024–25 (November–March), characterized by moderate rainfall and high humidity. Test insect The mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Homoptera: Aphididae), which occurs naturally on rapeseed–mustard crops in Punjab, was used as the test insect. Aphid populations generally peak during February–March, and both field and laboratory studies were synchronized with this period. Field plots were monitored regularly to record aphid establishment, and elicitor applications were timed to coincide with the initial pest appearance. Field evaluation Plant material and elicitor application Seeds of Brassica juncea cv. Giriraj were sown during the second week of November to enhance aphid pressure during the flowering stage. Crop management followed recommended agronomic practices. Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) solutions were prepared fresh before application. SA was dissolved in methanol and diluted with distilled water to obtain concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mM, while corresponding JA concentrations were prepared similarly. Foliar sprays were applied using a knapsack sprayer at the early vegetative stage, coinciding with aphid appearance. Treatments included three concentrations each of SA and JA, solvent control (water + methanol), water spray, and untreated control, with three replications arranged in a randomized block design. Aphid populations were recorded from the top 10 cm of the central twig of randomly selected plants per plot one day before treatment and at 3, 7, and 10 days after treatment (DAT). Observations on natural enemy abundance and yield parameters were also recorded. Statistical analysis Field data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) under a randomized block design (RBD). Treatment means were separated using the least significant difference (LSD) test at the 5% significance level (p ≤ 0.05). Effect of elicitors on aphid biological parameters Laboratory bioassays were conducted in the Plant Protection Laboratory, Oilseeds Section, PAU, Ludhiana, following a completely randomized design (CRD) with nine treatments and three replications. Mustard plants (cv. Giriraj) received the same elicitor treatments as in the field experiment. Elicitors were applied 24 h prior to bioassays. Treated twigs were excised and placed in glass test tubes with moist cotton to maintain freshness. Ten newly emerged (< 8 h old) L. erysimi nymphs were released per replication. Bioassays were conducted in a B.O.D. incubator at 22 ± 1°C. Observations were recorded on nymphal survival, developmental duration, adult longevity, and fecundity. Data were subjected to ANOVA appropriate for CRD, and treatment means were compared using LSD at p ≤ 0.05. Biochemical analysis Sample collection and estimation Biochemical analyses were performed in the Biochemistry Laboratory, Oilseeds Section, PAU, Ludhiana, using a completely randomized design with three replications. Top inflorescences (10 cm) were collected from treated plants at peak aphid infestation, 48 h after elicitor application. Samples were transported on ice and processed immediately for enzymatic assays, while samples for non-enzymatic estimations were oven-dried. Biochemical parameters analyzed included glucosinolates, total phenols, flavonols, sugars, free amino acids, and the activities of peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Statistical analysis Biochemical data were analyzed using ANOVA under CRD. Treatment means were compared using LSD at the 5% level of significance, and correlation analysis was performed to assess associations between biochemical traits and L. erysimi infestation. RESULTS Effect of plant elicitors on aphid population and yield In Experiment 1, aphid populations did not differ significantly among treatments prior to elicitor application during both cropping seasons (Tables 1 and 2 ). During the 2023–24 season, aphid numbers increased in all treatments three days after application; however, significant differences were observed among treatments, reflecting variation in population buildup. All elicitor-treated plots recorded significantly lower aphid populations compared to the untreated control, with percent reduction ranging from 31.7 to 44.7. Although aphid density increased relative to pre-treatment levels, the magnitude of increase was markedly lower than that observed in the control. At seven days after treatment, aphid populations in all elicitor treatments remained significantly lower than in the untreated control. The lowest reduction over control (37.3%) was recorded with salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM, followed by jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (40.7%). A similar trend persisted at ten days after treatment, with all elicitor-treated plots sustaining significantly reduced aphid populations relative to the control. The pattern of aphid suppression during the 2024–25 season closely mirrored that observed in 2023–24 (Table 2 ). Significant differences in seed yield were recorded among treatments across both seasons. All elicitor applications resulted in significantly higher yields compared to the untreated control. During the 2023–24 season, the highest yield (1871.75 kg ha⁻¹) was obtained with SA at 1.5 mM, followed by SA at 1.0 mM (1787.50 kg ha⁻¹) and 0.5 mM (1739.00 kg ha⁻¹). Jasmonic acid treatments resulted in yields of 1712.75, 1629.25, and 1586.50 kg ha⁻¹ at 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5 mM, respectively (Table 1 ). A comparable yield trend was observed during the 2024–25 season, with salicylic acid treatments consistently outperforming jasmonic acid treatments (Table 2 ). Table 1 Effect of different treatments on mustard aphid population during 2023-24 crop season Treatment BS 3 DAS* 7 DAS 10 DAS Yield (kg ha-1) Aphids plant-1 PROC** Aphids plant-1 PROC* Aphids plant-1 PROC* Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 30.1 35.9 33.3 42.0 48.3 49.2 40.6 1739.00 Salicylic acid 1 mM 33.5 32.9 38.8 44.5 45.1 43.7 47.3 1787.50 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 30.3 30.5 43.4 37.3 54.0 41.7 49.8 1871.75 Jasmonic acid 0.5mM 31.5 36.7 31.7 49.5 39.0 52.9 36.3 1586.50 Jasmonic acid 1 mM 31.0 32.2 40.2 52.3 35.5 51.5 37.9 1629.25 Jasmonic acid 1.5mM 28.4 29.7 44.7 40.7 49.8 45.4 45.3 1712.75 Methanol 32.3 45.0 16.4 65.6 19.1 73.4 11.5 1516.75 Water-only 33.3 54.1 -0.6 72.1 11.2 76.4 7.9 1475.25 Untreated control 31.1 53.8 - 81.1 - 82.9 - 1418.50 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 7.4 8.5 8.5 11.8 * DAS: Days after spray, **PROC: Per cent reduction over untreated control Table 2 Effect of different treatments on mustard aphid population during 2024-25 crop season Treatment BS 3DAS 7DAS 10DAS Yield (kg ha-1) Aphids plant-1 PROC* Aphids plant-1 PROC* Aphids plant-1 PROC* Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 55.3 53.3 29.6 53.6 44.3 75.9 32.8 1587.75 Salicylic acid 1 mM 50.9 49.4 34.8 50.3 47.7 70.5 37.5 1622.75 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 51.2 49.0 35.4 55.7 42.0 64.3 43.1 1717.25 Jasmonic acid 0.5mM 52.7 56.7 25.2 64.5 32.9 80.9 28.4 1475.00 Jasmonic acid 1 mM 48.2 56.7 25.2 63.3 34.2 77.5 31.3 1518.25 Jasmonic acid 1.5mM 56.3 52.5 30.7 56.7 41.0 70.3 37.8 1543.75 Methanol 56.4 70.0 7.7 80.6 16.2 103.4 8.4 1366.00 Water-only 55.8 77.1 -1.7 87.1 9.4 106.4 5.8 1331.50 Untreated control 54.9 75.8 96.1 112.9 1293.25 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 8.2 9.1 9.1 10.5 * DAS: Days after spray, **PROC: Per cent reduction over untreated control Effect of elicitors on biological parameters of Lipaphis erysimi Nymphal survival of L. erysimi was assessed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 days after release (DAR) under different elicitor treatments (Table 3 ). At 3 DAR, nymphal survival remained high across all treatments (> 90%), with no significant differences among them. The untreated control recorded complete survival (100%), while comparatively lower survival was observed in salicylic acid (SA) treatments at 0.5 and 1.5 mM, although these differences were not statistically significant. By 6 DAR, treatment effects became more pronounced. The lowest nymphal survival (56.67%) was observed in SA at 1.5 mM, which was significantly lower than most other treatments (Table 3 ). In contrast, the water-sprayed treatment exhibited the highest survival (96.67%), similar to levels recorded at 3 DAR. Survival rates under SA at 0.5 mM (76.67%) and 1.0 mM (73.33%) did not differ significantly from each other. Likewise, jasmonic acid (JA) treatments showed no significant differences among concentrations, indicating a comparable effect on nymphal survival at this stage. Table 3 Effect of different treatments on nymphal survival under laboratory conditions Sr. No. Treatment Nymphal survival (%) (Mean ± SE) 3DAR** 6DAR 9DAR 12DAR 1 SA* 0.5 mM 90.00 ± 5.77a 76.67 ± 3.33cd 60.00 ± 5.77bc 46.67 ± 6.67b 2 SA 1.0 mM 93.33 ± 3.33a 73.33 ± 3.33cd 56.67 ± 3.33bc 43.33 ± 6.67b 3 SA 1.5 mM 90.00 ± 5.77a 56.67 ± 3.33e 40.00 ± 0.00d 40.00 ± 5.77b 4 JA 0.5 mM 93.33 ± 3.33a 83.33 ± 3.33bc 66.67 ± 3.33b 53.33 ± 3.33b 5 JA 1.0 mM 93.33 ± 3.33a 76.67 ± 3.33cd 60.00 ± 5.77bc 50.00 ± 5.77b 6 JA 1.5 mM 96.67 ± 3.33a 70.00 ± 0.00d 53.33 ± 3.33c 43.33 ± 6.67b 7 Methanol 96.67 ± 3.33a 90.00 ± 5.77ab 86.67 ± 3.33a 80.00 ± 5.77a 8 Water-only 96.67 ± 3.33a 96.67 ± 3.33a 96.67 ± 3.33a 90.00 ± 0.00a 9 Untreated control 100.00 ± 0.00a 93.33 ± 3.33ab 93.33 ± 3.33a 86.67 ± 3.33a CD (p ≤ 0.05) NS 1.05 1.15 1.6 **DAR: Days after Release, *SA: Salicylic acid, JA: Jasmonic acid At 9 DAR, the suppressive effect of elicitor treatments on nymphal survival became more evident (Table 3 ). The lowest survival (40.00%) was again recorded in salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM, whereas the water-sprayed treatment maintained the highest survival (96.67%). Survival under SA at 0.5 mM (60.00%) and 1.0 mM (56.67%) did not differ significantly. Jasmonic acid (JA) treatments continued to show no significant differences among concentrations, although survival levels were consistently lower than those observed in the control treatments. By 12 DAR, nymphal survival on elicitor-treated twigs declined further, with all elicitor treatments recording survival slightly above 40%, which was significantly lower than that in the control treatments. The minimum survival (40.00%) was again observed in SA at 1.5 mM. In contrast, the highest survival was recorded in the water-only treatment (90.00%), followed by the untreated control (86.67%) and methanol treatment (80.00%), all of which were significantly superior to the elicitor-treated twigs. Effect of elicitors on nymphal development of Lipaphis erysimi In addition to reducing nymphal survival, plant elicitor treatments significantly affected the nymphal development period of L. erysimi under laboratory conditions (Table 4 ). All elicitor treatments resulted in a significant prolongation of nymphal development compared to the untreated control, water spray, and methanol treatments. Table 4 Effect of different treatments on nymphal development period under laboratory conditions Sr. No. Treatment Nympal development period (days) (Mean ± SE) 1 Salicylic acid @ 0.5 mM 11.67 ± 0.67b 2 Salicylic acid @ 1.0 mM 12.00 ± 0.00b 3 Salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM 15.33 ± 0.33a 4 Jasmonic acid @ 0.5 mM 9.33 ± 0.33cd 5 Jasmonic acid @ 1.0 mM 10.33 ± 0.33bc 6 Jasmonic acid @ 1.5 mM 11.33 ± 0.33b 7 Methanol 8.00 ± 0.00de 8 Water-only 6.67 ± 1.33e 9 Untreated control 7.33 ± 0.67e CD (p ≤ 0.05) 1.76 Among the treatments, salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM caused the greatest delay in nymphal development, with a mean duration of 15.33 days, which was significantly longer than all other treatments. Lower concentrations of SA (0.5 and 1.0 mM) also prolonged development, recording 11.67 and 12.00 days, respectively; these treatments were statistically at par with each other but significantly inferior to SA at 1.5 mM. Jasmonic acid (JA) treatments similarly extended the nymphal period relative to controls, with development duration ranging from 9.33 days at 0.5 mM to 11.33 days at 1.5 mM. However, differences among JA concentrations were not statistically significant. The shortest nymphal development period was observed in the water-only treatment (6.67 days), followed by the untreated control (7.33 days) and methanol treatment (8.00 days), all of which were significantly shorter than those recorded under elicitor-treated twigs. Effect of elicitors on fecundity of Lipaphis erysimi Plant elicitor treatments significantly influenced the fecundity of L. erysimi under laboratory conditions (Table 5 ). Mean fecundity across treatments ranged from 12.83 to 26.16 nymphs per female, indicating a pronounced suppressive effect of elicitors on aphid reproductive potential. Table 5 Effect of different treatments on aphid fecundity under laboratory conditions Sr. No. Treatment Fecundity (no. of nymphs/♀) (Mean ± SE) 1 Salicylic acid @ 0.5 mM 15.17 ± 0.13d 2 Salicylic acid @ 1.0 mM 15.60 ± 0.12d 3 Salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM 12.83 ± 0.1e 4 Jasmonic acid @ 0.5 mM 16.40 ± 0.21c 5 Jasmonic acid @ 1.0 mM 16.42 ± 0.16c 6 Jasmonic acid @ 1.5 mM 15.42 ± 0.41d 7 Methanol 23.93 ± 0.34b 8 Water-only 26.16 ± 0.12a 9 Untreated control 26.06 ± 0.38a CD (p ≤ 0.05) 0.741 Among all treatments, salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM resulted in the lowest fecundity (12.83 nymphs female⁻¹), which was significantly lower than all other treatments. Lower concentrations of SA (0.5 and 1.0 mM) also significantly reduced fecundity, recording 15.17 and 15.60 nymphs female⁻¹, respectively; these treatments were statistically comparable to jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (15.42 nymphs female⁻¹). Jasmonic acid at 0.5 and 1.0 mM resulted in fecundity values of 16.40 and 16.42 nymphs female⁻¹, respectively, which were significantly higher than those recorded under SA treatments but remained significantly lower than the control treatments. In contrast, methanol (23.93 nymphs female⁻¹), water-only (26.16 nymphs female⁻¹), and untreated control (26.06 nymphs female⁻¹) treatments exhibited significantly higher fecundity than all elicitor-treated twigs. The water-only and untreated control treatments were statistically at par and recorded the highest reproductive output. Effect of elicitors on adult longevity of Lipaphis erysimi Plant elicitor application significantly affected the adult longevity of L. erysimi (Table 6 ). Mean adult lifespan varied markedly among treatments, ranging from 2.33 to 14.00 days. Salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM resulted in the shortest adult longevity (2.33 days), which was significantly lower than all other treatments. Lower concentrations of SA (0.5 and 1.0 mM) also markedly reduced adult lifespan, recording 4.67 and 4.33 days, respectively; these treatments were statistically comparable to jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (4.33 days). Jasmonic acid at 0.5 and 1.0 mM resulted in moderately higher longevity values of 6.00 and 5.67 days, respectively, but these were still significantly lower than those observed in non-elicitor treatments. In contrast, methanol (11.33 days), water-only (13.67 days), and untreated control (14.00 days) treatments recorded significantly greater adult longevity compared to all elicitor-treated twigs. The water-only and untreated control treatments were statistically at par and exhibited the longest adult lifespan. Table 6 Effect of different treatments on aphid longevity under laboratory conditions Sr. No. Treatment Adult longevity (days) (Mean ± SE) 1 Salicylic acid @ 0.5 mM 4.67 ± 0.33cd 2 Salicylic acid @ 1.0 mM 4.33 ± 0.33d 3 Salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM 2.33 ± 0.33e 4 Jasmonic acid @ 0.5 mM 6.00 ± 0.00c 5 Jasmonic acid @ 1.0 mM 5.67 ± 0.33cd 6 Jasmonic acid @ 1.5 mM 4.33 ± 0.33d 7 Methanol 11.33 ± 0.67b 8 Water-only 13.67 ± 0.88a 9 Untreated control 14.00 ± 0.58a CD (p ≤ 0.05) 1.45 Biochemical changes in mustard plants following elicitor application Glucosinolates Glucosinolates, sulphur-containing secondary metabolites characteristic of Brassicaceae, showed significant variation among treatments both before and after aphid infestation (Table 7 ). In uninfested plants, glucosinolate content ranged from 26.80 to 54.77 mg g⁻¹ dry tissue. The highest accumulation was recorded under salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (54.77 mg g⁻¹), which was significantly higher than all other treatments. This was followed by jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (42.93 mg g⁻¹) and SA at 1.0 mM (40.77 mg g⁻¹). Moderate levels were observed in SA at 0.5 mM (37.30 mg g⁻¹) and JA at 1.0 mM (34.37 mg g⁻¹). Water-only (31.90 mg g⁻¹) and untreated control (30.90 mg g⁻¹) treatments were statistically comparable, while the lowest levels were recorded in JA at 0.5 mM (29.90 mg g⁻¹) and the methanol treatment (26.80 mg g⁻¹). Following aphid infestation, glucosinolate content increased across most treatments, ranging from 27.20 to 67.70 mg g⁻¹ dry tissue. Salicylic acid at 1.5 mM again recorded the highest concentration (67.70 mg g⁻¹), remaining significantly superior to all other treatments. This was followed by SA at 1.0 mM (58.73 mg g⁻¹) and JA at 1.5 mM (56.03 mg g⁻¹). Intermediate levels were observed in SA at 0.5 mM (49.37 mg g⁻¹) and JA at 1.0 mM (41.77 mg g⁻¹). Lower glucosinolate accumulation was recorded in JA at 0.5 mM (32.93 mg g⁻¹), water-only (32.63 mg g⁻¹), and untreated control (32.97 mg g⁻¹) treatments, which were statistically at par, while the methanol treatment exhibited the lowest values under infested conditions. A marked increase in glucosinolate content following aphid infestation was evident in elicitor-treated plants, particularly under SA treatments. The highest percent increase was recorded in SA at 1.0 mM (44.07%), followed by SA at 0.5 mM (32.35%) and JA at 1.5 mM (30.51%). In contrast, methanol (1.49%), water-only (2.30%), and untreated control (6.69%) treatments showed only marginal changes. Table 7 Glucosinolates content (mg/g) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors Sr. No. Treatment Uninfested Infested Per cent increase/decrease over uninfested 1 Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 37.30 ± 0.12d 49.37 ± 0.87d 32.35 2 Salicylic acid 1.0 mM 40.77 ± 0.33c 58.73 ± 0.15b 44.07 3 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 54.77 ± 0.35a 67.70 ± 0.35a 23.61 4 Jasmonic acid 0.5 mM 29.90 ± 1.14g 32.93 ± 0.30f 10.14 5 Jasmonic acid 1.0 mM 34.37 ± 0.98e 41.77 ± 0.65e 21.53 6 Jasmonic acid 1.5 mM 42.93 ± 0.49b 56.03 ± 0.28c 30.51 7 Methanol 26.80 ± 0.40h 27.20 ± 0.47g 1.49 8 Water-only 31.90 ± 0.53f 32.63 ± 0.44f 2.30 9 Untreated control 30.90 ± 0.69fg 32.97 ± 0.17f 6.69 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 1.91 1.39 Total phenols Total phenols, key secondary metabolites involved in plant defense, were significantly influenced by elicitor application in mustard plants (Table 8 ). In uninfested plants, total phenol content ranged from 9.51 to 11.47 mg g⁻¹ dry tissue. Although numerical variation was observed, most elicitor treatments did not differ significantly. The highest phenol content was recorded under jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.0 mM (11.47 mg g⁻¹), which was statistically comparable with salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (11.44 mg g⁻¹), SA at 1.0 mM (11.36 mg g⁻¹), JA at 1.5 mM (11.41 mg g⁻¹), and SA at 0.5 mM (11.19 mg g⁻¹). Lower phenol content was observed in JA at 0.5 mM (10.67 mg g⁻¹), while the untreated control (9.51 mg g⁻¹), water-only (9.83 mg g⁻¹), and methanol (9.97 mg g⁻¹) treatments recorded the lowest and statistically comparable values. Following aphid infestation, significant differences among treatments became evident, with total phenol content ranging from 9.82 to 13.79 mg g⁻¹ dry tissue. Salicylic acid at 1.5 mM resulted in the highest phenol accumulation (13.79 mg g⁻¹), which was significantly higher than all other treatments. This was followed by JA at 1.5 mM (13.19 mg g⁻¹), SA at 1.0 mM (12.86 mg g⁻¹), and SA at 0.5 mM (12.55 mg g⁻¹). Moderate phenol levels were observed under JA at 1.0 mM (12.39 mg g⁻¹) and JA at 0.5 mM (11.83 mg g⁻¹). The water-only (10.62 mg g⁻¹) and methanol (10.26 mg g⁻¹) treatments showed comparatively lower accumulation, while the untreated control recorded the lowest phenol content (9.82 mg g⁻¹). Table 8 Total phenols content (mg/g) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors Sr. No. Treatment Uninfested Infested Per cent increase/decrease over uninfested 1 Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 11.19 ± 0.02a 12.55 ± 0.03cd 12.13 2 Salicylic acid 1.0 mM 11.36 ± 0.02a 12.86 ± 0.06bc 13.17 3 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 11.44 ± 0.02a 13.79 ± 0.05a 20.51 4 Jasmonic acid 0.5 mM 10.67 ± 0.15b 11.83 ± 0.06e 10.87 5 Jasmonic acid 1.0 mM 11.47 ± 0.11a 12.39 ± 0.17d 8.02 6 Jasmonic acid 1.5 mM 11.41 ± 0.07a 13.19 ± 0.06b 15.60 7 Methanol 9.97 ± 0.05c 10.26 ± 0.11fg 2.97 8 Water-only 9.83 ± 0.07c 10.62 ± 0.19f 8.04 9 Untreated control 9.51 ± 0.17d 9.82 ± 0.30g 3.29 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 0.27 0.42 Aphid infestation led to an overall increase in total phenol content in elicitor-treated plants. The highest percent increase was observed under SA at 1.5 mM (20.51%), followed by JA at 1.5 mM (15.60%) and SA at 1.0 mM (13.17%). In contrast, methanol (2.97%), untreated control (3.29%), and water-only (8.04%) treatments exhibited minimal increases, indicating a weaker inducible phenolic response in the absence of elicitor application. Flavonols Flavonol content in mustard plants was significantly influenced by elicitor application (Table X). In uninfested plants, flavonol concentration ranged from 10.59 to 13.24 mg g⁻¹ dry tissue, with significant differences among treatments. The highest flavonol accumulation was recorded under salicylic acid (SA) at 0.5 mM (13.24 mg g⁻¹), which was significantly higher than all other treatments, followed by SA at 1.0 mM (12.65 mg g⁻¹). Moderate flavonol levels were observed in jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.0 mM (11.76 mg g⁻¹), water-only (11.67 mg g⁻¹), SA at 1.5 mM (11.43 mg g⁻¹), and JA at 1.5 mM (11.32 mg g⁻¹), which were statistically comparable. Lower flavonol content was recorded in JA at 0.5 mM (11.02 mg g⁻¹) and the untreated control (10.77 mg g⁻¹), while the methanol treatment recorded the lowest value (10.59 mg g⁻¹), statistically at par with the untreated control. Following aphid infestation, flavonol levels declined in most treatments, ranging from 7.54 to 12.94 mg g⁻¹ dry tissue, with significant treatment effects. The lowest flavonol content was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (7.54 mg g⁻¹), which was significantly lower than all other treatments, followed by JA at 1.5 mM (9.99 mg g⁻¹). Intermediate flavonol levels were recorded in SA at 1.0 mM (10.73 mg g⁻¹), untreated control (10.88 mg g⁻¹), JA at 1.0 mM (10.97 mg g⁻¹), and methanol (11.22 mg g⁻¹), which were statistically comparable. Higher flavonol accumulation was observed in SA at 0.5 mM (11.98 mg g⁻¹) and the water-only treatment (12.94 mg g⁻¹). Table 9 Flavonols content (mg/g) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors Sr. No. Treatment Uninfested Infested Per cent increase/ decrease over uninfested 1 Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 13.24 ± 0.10a 11.98 ± 0.28b -9.5 2 Salicylic acid 1.0 mM 12.65 ± 0.16b 10.73 ± 0.13c -15.15 3 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 11.43 ± 0.18cd 7.54 ± 0.20e -34.06 4 Jasmonic acid 0.5 mM 11.02 ± 0.36deg 10.62 ± 0.39cd -3.68 5 Jasmonic acid 1.0 mM 11.76 ± 0.09c 10.97 ± 0.30c -6.72 6 Jasmonic acid 1.5 mM 11.32 ± 0.06cde 9.99 ± 0.16d -11.73 7 Methanol 10.59 ± 0.10f 11.22 ± 0.24c 5.98 8 Water-only 11.67 ± 0.28c 12.94 ± 0.08a 10.91 9 Untreated control 10.77 ± 0.17ef 10.88 ± 0.20c 0.99 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 0.56 0.71 Aphid infestation led to a general decline in flavonol content in elicitor-treated mustard plants, with the effect being more pronounced under salicylic acid (SA) treatments. The greatest reduction was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (34.06%), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (15.15%) and SA at 0.5 mM (9.50%). In contrast, jasmonic acid (JA) treatments exhibited comparatively smaller decreases in flavonol levels, with reductions of 11.73%, 6.72%, and 3.68% at 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5 mM, respectively. Conversely, methanol (5.98%), water-only (10.91%), and untreated control (0.99%) treatments showed either a slight increase or negligible change in flavonol content following aphid infestation. Total sugars Total sugars are key mediators of insect–plant interactions, as elevated sugar levels often enhance host suitability for sap-feeding insects such as aphids. The application of plant elicitors significantly influenced total sugar content in mustard plants (Table 10 ). In uninfested plants, total sugar content ranged from 7.80 to 15.31 mg g⁻¹ dry tissue. All elicitor-treated plants recorded significantly lower sugar levels compared to the water-only, methanol solvent, and untreated control treatments. Among elicitor treatments, jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM resulted in the lowest sugar content (7.80 mg g⁻¹), followed by salicylic acid (SA) at 0.5 mM (8.28 mg g⁻¹), SA at 1.0 mM (8.56 mg g⁻¹), SA at 1.5 mM (8.66 mg g⁻¹), JA at 0.5 mM (8.63 mg g⁻¹), and JA at 1.0 mM (8.79 mg g⁻¹). These elicitor treatments were statistically at par with each other. In contrast, significantly higher sugar contents were observed in the methanol solvent (11.99 mg g⁻¹) and untreated control (13.28 mg g⁻¹), while the highest value was recorded in the water-only treatment (15.31 mg g⁻¹). A similar pattern was observed in aphid-infested plants, where total sugar content ranged from 5.31 to 20.97 mg g⁻¹ dry tissue. The lowest sugar content was recorded in SA at 1.5 mM (5.31 mg g⁻¹), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (5.91 mg g⁻¹), JA at 1.5 mM (6.25 mg g⁻¹), SA at 0.5 mM (6.91 mg g⁻¹), JA at 0.5 mM (7.56 mg g⁻¹), and JA at 1.0 mM (7.62 mg g⁻¹). All elicitor treatments were statistically comparable and remained significantly lower than the non-elicitor treatments. Significantly higher sugar contents were recorded in the methanol solvent (15.73 mg g⁻¹) and water-only treatment (20.18 mg g⁻¹), whereas the untreated control exhibited the highest sugar content (20.97 mg g⁻¹). Aphid infestation resulted in a marked reduction in total sugar content in all elicitor-treated plants. The maximum reduction was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (38.66%), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (30.99%) and JA at 1.5 mM (19.88%). Moderate reductions were recorded in SA at 0.5 mM (16.51%), JA at 1.0 mM (13.32%), and JA at 0.5 mM (12.33%). In contrast, methanol (31.25%), water-only (31.84%), and untreated control (57.88%) treatments showed a substantial increase in total sugar content following aphid infestation. Table 10 Total sugars content (mg/g) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors Sr. No. Treatment Uninfested Infested Per cent increase/ decrease over uninfested 1 Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 8.28 ± 0.04c 6.91 ± 0.34cde -16.51 2 Salicylic acid 1.0 mM 8.56 ± 0.15c 5.91 ± 0.02de -30.99 3 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 8.66 ± 0.19c 5.31 ± 0.17e -38.66 4 Jasmonic acid 0.5 mM 8.63 ± 0.17c 7.56 ± 0.22cd -12.33 5 Jasmonic acid 1.0 mM 8.79 ± 0.07c 7.62 ± 0.09c -13.32 6 Jasmonic acid 1.5 mM 7.80 ± 0.10c 6.25 ± 0.33cde -19.88 7 Methanol 11.99 ± 1.52b 15.73 ± 1.40b 31.25 8 Water-only 15.31 ± 0.55a 20.18 ± 0.41a 31.84 9 Untreated control 13.28 ± 0.82b 20.97 ± 0.02a 57.88 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 1.84 1.56 Free amino acids Free amino acids (FAAs) constitute an essential nutritional resource for aphids, as these insects rely entirely on host plants for the supply of several essential amino acids. The application of plant elicitors significantly altered FAA concentrations in mustard plants under both uninfested and aphid-infested conditions (Table 11 ). In uninfested plants, FAA content varied between 0.41 and 0.74 mg g⁻¹ fresh tissue. Although minor numerical differences were evident among treatments, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences among elicitor applications. The lowest FAA levels were observed in plants treated with salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (0.41 mg g⁻¹), followed by jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (0.54 mg g⁻¹), SA at 1.0 mM (0.58 mg g⁻¹), JA at 1.0 mM (0.60 mg g⁻¹), JA at 0.5 mM (0.67 mg g⁻¹), and SA at 0.5 mM (0.69 mg g⁻¹). In contrast, significantly higher FAA concentrations were recorded in the water-only (0.74 mg g⁻¹), untreated control (0.73 mg g⁻¹), and methanol solvent (0.71 mg g⁻¹) treatments compared to elicitor-treated plants. Following aphid infestation, FAA content differed significantly among treatments, with values ranging from 0.29 to 0.79 mg g⁻¹ fresh tissue. The lowest FAA concentration was recorded in SA at 1.5 mM (0.29 mg g⁻¹), which was significantly lower than all other treatments. This was followed by SA at 1.0 mM and JA at 1.5 mM (0.47 mg g⁻¹ each), which were statistically at par. Intermediate FAA levels were observed in JA at 1.0 mM (0.55 mg g⁻¹), SA at 0.5 mM (0.58 mg g⁻¹), and JA at 0.5 mM (0.64 mg g⁻¹). In contrast, the methanol solvent (0.74 mg g⁻¹), water-only (0.78 mg g⁻¹), and untreated control (0.79 mg g⁻¹) treatments exhibited significantly higher FAA contents, with the untreated control recording the maximum value. Table 11 Free amino acids content (mg/g) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors Sr. No. Treatment Uninfested Infested Per cent increase/ decrease over uninfested 1 Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 0.69 ± 0.01ab 0.58 ± 0.03c -16.59 2 Salicylic acid 1.0 mM 0.58 ± 0.03abc 0.47 ± 0.01d -18.17 3 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 0.41 ± 0.01c 0.29 ± 0.00e -30.43 4 Jasmonic acid 0.5 mM 0.67 ± 0.00ab 0.64 ± 0.02b -4.36 5 Jasmonic acid 1.0 mM 0.60 ± 0.01ab 0.55 ± 0.01c -8.46 6 Jasmonic acid 1.5 mM 0.54 ± 0.01bc 0.47 ± 0.00d -13.6 7 Methanol 0.71 ± 0.01ab 0.74 ± 0.02a 3.22 8 Water-only 0.74 ± 0.01a 0.78 ± 0.01a 6.1 9 Untreated control 0.73 ± 0.01a 0.79 ± 0.00a 8.24 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 0.04 0.04 Aphid infestation led to an overall decline in FAA content in all elicitor-treated plants. The greatest reduction was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (30.43%), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (18.17%) and JA at 1.5 mM (13.60%). Smaller reductions were noted in SA at 0.5 mM (16.59%), JA at 1.0 mM (8.46%), and JA at 0.5 mM (4.36%). Conversely, methanol (3.22%), water-only (6.10%), and untreated control (8.24%) treatments showed an increase in FAA content following aphid infestation. Peroxidase (POX) Activity Peroxidase (POX) activity varied significantly among treatments in both uninfested and aphid-infested mustard plants (Table 12 ). In uninfested plants, POX activity ranged from 13.98 to 41.17 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹ fresh tissue. The highest activity was observed in salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (41.17 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), which was significantly higher than all other treatments, followed by SA at 1.0 mM (33.40 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (31.45 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), which were statistically comparable. Moderate activity levels were noted in SA at 0.5 mM (29.29 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and JA at 1.0 mM (26.59 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). Lower activities were recorded in JA at 0.5 mM (18.99 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), water-only (17.23 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), and untreated control (15.52 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), with the methanol solvent exhibiting the lowest activity (13.98 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). Table 12 Peroxidase (POX) activity (units/min/ g fresh weight of tissue) in uninfested and aphid uninfested plants following treatment with plant elicitors Sr. No. Treatment Uninfested Infested Per cent increase/ decrease over uninfested 1 Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 29.29 ± 0.35bc 62.70 ± 1.22d 114.05 2 Salicylic acid 1.0 mM 33.40 ± 1.75b 88.46 ± 2.20b 164.83 3 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 41.17 ± 2.12a 120.65 ± 0.66a 193.04 4 Jasmonic acid 0.5 mM 18.99 ± 1.11d 46.04 ± 2.36e 142.38 5 Jasmonic acid 1.0 mM 26.59 ± 1.12c 62.68 ± 2.91d 135.7 6 Jasmonic acid 1.5 mM 31.45 ± 0.42b 74.40 ± 1.20c 136.6 7 Methanol 13.98 ± 0.44e 15.47 ± 0.57g 10.63 8 Water-only 17.23 ± 2.60de 29.32 ± 0.93f 70.16 9 Untreated control 15.52 ± 1.04de 28.26 ± 0.95f 82.09 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 4.28 4.92 Upon aphid infestation, POX activity increased markedly in all elicitor-treated plants, ranging from 15.47 to 120.65 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹. SA at 1.5 mM again recorded the maximum activity (120.65 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (88.46 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and JA at 1.5 mM (74.40 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). Comparable activities were observed in SA at 0.5 mM (62.70 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and JA at 1.0 mM (62.68 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), while lower activities occurred in JA at 0.5 mM (46.04 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), untreated control (28.26 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), and water-only (29.32 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). The methanol solvent recorded the lowest activity among infested plants (15.47 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). Aphid infestation caused a substantial induction of POX activity in elicitor-treated plants. The highest percent increases were observed in SA at 1.5 mM (193.04%), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (164.83%) and JA at 0.5 mM (142.38%). Moderate increases were recorded in JA at 1.5 mM (136.60%), JA at 1.0 mM (135.70%), and SA at 0.5 mM (114.05%). In contrast, lower increases were observed in water-only (70.16%), untreated control (82.09%), and methanol solvent (10.63%) treatments. Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) Activity Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity differed significantly among treatments in both uninfested and aphid-infested mustard plants (Table 13 ). In uninfested plants, PPO activity ranged from 1.40 to 3.32 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹ fresh tissue. The highest activity was recorded in salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (3.32 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), followed by jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (2.99 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and SA at 1.0 mM (2.67 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). Moderate activities were observed in SA at 0.5 mM (2.22 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and JA at 1.0 mM (2.30 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), while JA at 0.5 mM (2.06 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) was slightly lower. The water-only (1.72 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), untreated control (1.66 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), and methanol solvent (1.40 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) treatments recorded the lowest activities. Table 13 Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (units/min/ g fresh weight of tissue) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors Sr. No. Treatment Uninfested Infested Per cent increase/ decrease over uninfested 1 Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 2.22 ± 0.12d 4.15 ± 0.09d 86.68 2 Salicylic acid 1.0 mM 2.67 ± 0.04c 5.31 ± 0.10b 98.76 3 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 3.32 ± 0.16a 7.10 ± 0.06a 114.05 4 Jasmonic acid 0.5 mM 2.06 ± 0.05d 3.07 ± 0.05f 49.03 5 Jasmonic acid 1.0 mM 2.30 ± 0.07d 3.44 ± 0.11e 49.40 6 Jasmonic acid 1.5 mM 2.99 ± 0.04b 4.47 ± 0.18c 49.57 7 Methanol 1.40 ± 0.03f 1.53 ± 0.07h 9.52 8 Water-only 1.72 ± 0.12e 2.39 ± 0.09g 38.89 9 Untreated control 1.66 ± 0.09ef 2.29 ± 0.10g 37.95 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 0.26 0.3 Aphid infestation increased PPO activity in all treatments, with values ranging from 1.53 to 7.10 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹. The highest activity was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (7.10 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (5.31 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and JA at 1.5 mM (4.47 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). Intermediate activities were recorded in SA at 0.5 mM (4.15 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), JA at 1.0 mM (3.44 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), and JA at 0.5 mM (3.07 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), while lower activities were observed in water-only (2.39 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), untreated control (2.29 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), and methanol (1.53 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) treatments. The percent increase in PPO activity following aphid infestation was greatest in SA at 1.5 mM (114.05%), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (98.76%) and SA at 0.5 mM (86.68%). Jasmonic acid treatments showed moderate increases (49.03–49.57%), whereas water-only (38.89%) and untreated control (37.95%) treatments exhibited lower increases. The methanol solvent treatment showed the minimal increase (9.52%). Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL) Activity Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity varied significantly among treatments in both uninfested and aphid-infested mustard plants, indicating elicitor-mediated activation of the phenylpropanoid pathway (Table 14 ). In uninfested plants, PAL activity ranged from 238.01 to 548.64 µg t-cinnamic acid h⁻¹ g⁻¹ fresh tissue. The highest activity was recorded in salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (548.64 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (509.41 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹) and jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (506.94 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹). Moderate activities were observed in SA at 0.5 mM (484.16 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹) and JA at 1.0 mM (443.19 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), while lower activities were recorded in JA at 0.5 mM (318.67 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), water-only (279.42 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), and untreated control (274.95 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), with the methanol solvent showing the lowest activity (238.01 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹). Table 14 Phenyl analine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity (µg t-cinnamic acid formed/ hour/g fresh weight) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors Sr. No. Treatment Uninfested Infested Per cent increase/ decrease over uninfested 1 Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 484.16 ± 7.12bc 752.57 ± 6.39c 35.67 2 Salicylic acid 1.0 mM 509.41 ± 19.17ab 819.21 ± 6.91b 37.82 3 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 548.64 ± 2.73a 933.27 ± 1.82a 41.21 4 Jasmonic acid 0.5 mM 318.67 ± 5.13d 567.44 ± 1.78d 43.84 5 Jasmonic acid 1.0 mM 443.19 ± 29.06c 721.59 ± 32.33c 38.58 6 Jasmonic acid 1.5 mM 506.94 ± 24.38ab 743.59 ± 20.84c 31.83 7 Methanol 238.01 ± 6.69e 279.21 ± 10.51e 14.76 8 Water-only 279.42 ± 17.3de 330.51 ± 16.41e 15.46 9 Untreated control 274.95 ± 25.2de 326.84 ± 26.38e 15.88 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 53.46 51.38 Aphid infestation enhanced PAL activity in all treatments, ranging from 279.21 to 933.27 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹. Maximum activity was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (933.27 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (819.21 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), SA at 0.5 mM (752.57 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), and JA at 1.5 mM (743.59 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹). Moderate activities were recorded in JA at 1.0 mM (721.59 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹) and JA at 0.5 mM (567.44 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), while water-only (330.51 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), untreated control (326.84 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹), and methanol (279.21 µg h⁻¹ g⁻¹) showed the lowest activities. The percent increase in PAL activity after aphid infestation was highest in JA at 0.5 mM (43.84%), followed by SA at 1.5 mM (41.21%), JA at 1.0 mM (38.58%), and SA at 1.0 mM (37.82%). Smaller increases were observed in methanol (14.76%), water-only (15.46%), and untreated control (15.88%). Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity Superoxide dismutase (SOD), a key antioxidant enzyme involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species during insect attack, showed significant variation among treatments in both uninfested and aphid-infested mustard plants (Table 15 ). In uninfested plants, SOD activity ranged from 112.50 to 202.42 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹ fresh tissue. The highest activity was observed in salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (202.42 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (183.21 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (170.77 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). Moderate activities were recorded in SA at 0.5 mM (160.53 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and JA at 1.0 mM (152.10 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), while JA at 0.5 mM showed lower activity (139.67 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). The lowest SOD activities were recorded in untreated control (112.50 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), water-only (113.90 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), and methanol (120.47 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) treatments. Table 15 Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (units/min/ g fresh weight of tissue) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors Sr. No. Treatment Uninfested Infested Per cent increase/ decrease over uninfested 1 Salicylic acid 0.5 mM 160.53 ± 1.58d 222.10 ± 1.78d 38.35 2 Salicylic acid 1.0 mM 183.21 ± 1.94b 270.95 ± 2.00b 47.89 3 Salicylic acid 1.5 mM 202.42 ± 2.09a 353.57 ± 1.004a 74.67 4 Jasmonic acid 0.5 mM 139.67 ± 0.43f 206.13 ± 0.11e 47.59 5 Jasmonic acid 1.0 mM 152.10 ± 0.97e 220.77 ± 0.32d 45.15 6 Jasmonic acid 1.5 mM 170.77 ± 0.58c 257.63 ± 0.38c 50.87 7 Methanol 120.47 ± 0.14g 146.10 ± 0.38f 21.28 8 Water-only 113.90 ± 0.15h 131.07 ± 0.24g 15.07 9 Untreated control 112.50 ± 0.64h 129.00 ± 0.38g 14.67 CD (p ≤ 0.05) 3.53 2.97 Aphid infestation enhanced SOD activity in all treatments, ranging from 129.00 to 353.57 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹. Maximum activity was recorded in SA at 1.5 mM (353.57 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (270.95 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and JA at 1.5 mM (257.63 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). Moderate SOD activity was observed in SA at 0.5 mM (222.10 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and JA at 1.0 mM (220.77 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), while JA at 0.5 mM recorded 206.13 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹. The lowest activities were found in untreated control (129.00 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), water-only (131.07 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹), and methanol solvent (146.10 units min⁻¹ g⁻¹). The effect of plant elicitors on mustard biochemical constituents was closely associated with Lipaphis erysimi population dynamics. Student’s t-test revealed that glucosinolates, total phenols, and defense-related enzymes including PAL, POX, PPO, and SOD were significantly correlated with aphid population (p ≤ 0.01), indicating that higher levels of these compounds contributed to reduced aphid infestation. In contrast, flavonols, free amino acids, and total sugars showed no significant association with aphid density (p > 0.05), suggesting that variations in these metabolites did not strongly influence aphid population under the experimental conditions. These results highlight the crucial role of elicitor-induced secondary metabolites and enzymatic defenses in enhancing resistance of mustard plants against L. erysimi . Table 16 Student’s t-test comparison of different biochemical constituents with aphid population Biochemicals t value p value Significance Glucosinolates 3.58 ≈ 0.007 ** Flavonols 1.65 ≈ 0.14 NS Free Amino Acids 1.73 ≈ 0.12 NS Total Phenols 4.23 ≈ 0.003 ** PAL 6.55 < 0.001 ** POX 4.16 ≈ 0.003 ** PPO 4.00 ≈ 0.004 ** SOD 4.61 ≈ 0.002 ** Sugar 0.42 ≈ 0.69 NS ** Significant at p ≤ 0.01; * Significant at p ≤ 0.05 DISCUSSION FIELD STUDIES Field assessments clearly demonstrated that foliar application of plant elicitors, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), significantly suppressed Lipaphis erysimi populations in mustard. Among the concentrations tested, SA @ 1.5 mM was consistently the most effective, recording the lowest aphid densities across both seasons, which aligns with the concept of elicitor-mediated priming of plant defense responses. The reduction in aphid population is likely due to activation of plant defense pathways, resulting in enhanced antibiosis and reduced host suitability for feeding and reproduction. These findings are consistent with Shahrokhy et al. (2024), who reported that foliar applications of SA combined with GABA or chitosan reduced Brevicoryne brassicae densities on canola, accompanied by increased leaf glucosinolates and decreased sugar content, thereby reducing nutritional suitability. Similarly, Feng et al. (2021) observed that elicitor-treated wheat exhibited lower fecundity and intrinsic rates of increase of Sitobion avenae , indicating that elicitor-induced resistance affects both mortality and sub-lethal biological parameters. The efficacy of SA in aphid management has also been validated in other systems; Xu et al. (2024) reported that methyl salicylate sprays reduced populations of Rhopalosiphum padi , R. maidis , and Aphis gossypii over two consecutive years. In Brassica crops, JA-mediated defenses similarly play a key role. Koramutla et al. (2014) showed that methyl jasmonate (MeJA) application in B. juncea activated jasmonate biosynthesis and defense-related genes (PAL, MYR, TPI), enhancing antibiosis and reducing aphid population growth, although SA treatments were comparatively more effective. Broad-spectrum efficacy of jasmonate-based elicitors has also been reported across crops; Bayram et al. (2018) observed suppression of cereal aphids on wheat with cis-jasmonate sprays, Tonğa et al. (2022) recorded effective control of multiple pests in cotton with MeJA, and Kumar (2023) demonstrated reduced cotton aphid populations on chili following JA application. Collectively, these studies corroborate the present results, confirming that foliar application of SA and JA effectively enhances host resistance and suppresses aphid populations in mustard through both biochemical and physiological plant defenses. BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS In addition to the significant reduction in aphid populations observed under field conditions, foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) markedly influenced the biological parameters of Lipaphis erysimi under laboratory conditions. Elicitor treatments induced antibiosis-mediated resistance in mustard, reflected in reduced nymphal survival, prolonged nymphal development, shortened adult longevity, and decreased fecundity. These alterations in life-history traits are crucial as they cumulatively constrain aphid population growth even in the absence of direct mortality. Among the elicitors tested, SA, particularly at 1.5 mM, exerted the strongest negative impact on aphid biology. The prolongation of the nymphal period not only exposes aphids to environmental stress for a longer duration but also reduces the number of generations completed within a cropping season. These findings are consistent with previous studies. Javed et al. (2020) reported that SA significantly reduced fecundity of Brevicoryne brassicae on canola, with fewer nymphs reaching adulthood, prolonged developmental duration, and reduced reproductive periods, paralleling the present observations in L. erysimi similar to the study by Khoshfarman et al. (2020). Bergen (2008) reported that JA application delayed development and reduced reproduction in L. erysimi . In the present study, JA treatments similarly prolonged nymphal development and reduced fecundity and adult longevity, although the effects were generally less pronounced than those of SA. Although the present study focused on aphids, elicitor-induced reductions in insect biological parameters have also been observed in chewing pests. Yadav (2022) reported that JA (2 mM) reduced larval weight and adult longevity in Helicoverpa armigera on tomato, with males and females living only 3.4 and 4.0 days, respectively, after treatment. Overall, plant elicitors adversely affected multiple biological parameters of L. erysimi , ultimately reducing its population growth potential. BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES Plants, being sessile organisms, cannot escape biotic and abiotic stresses and therefore rely on a complex arsenal of defense mechanisms to survive herbivore attack. Chemical defenses, representing a highly evolved and dynamic aspect of plant resistance, are shaped by a continuous co-evolutionary arms race with herbivores. The application of plant elicitors, such as salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), enhances these chemical defenses by modulating the concentration and activity of key biochemical constituents involved in resistance. Elicitor-induced resistance primarily operates through the regulation of glucosinolates, phenolic compounds, and oxidative defense enzymes, collectively reducing host suitability for insect pests (War et al., 2012). Among biochemical defenses, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzymes play a central role in plant stress responses. Enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) are crucial components of this oxidative defense system. SOD detoxifies superoxide radicals generated during stress, whereas PAL serves as a key entry-point enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway, leading to the synthesis of phenols, lignin, and other defense-related metabolites (War et al., 2012). Additionally, enzymes like peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) catalyze the oxidation of phenolic compounds into quinones, which are toxic or deterrent to herbivores and can reduce the digestibility of plant tissues (Kaur et al., 2017). Glucosinolates and Total Phenols Glucosinolates and phenolic compounds constitute two major biochemical defense systems in Brassica crops and play a pivotal role in host plant resistance against aphids. In the present study, both glucosinolates and total phenols showed a positive trend following aphid infestation, indicating activation of inducible chemical defenses in mustard plants. Such herbivore-induced accumulation of secondary metabolites reduces host suitability and limits insect population growth. GSLs are sulphur-containing, nitrogen-rich secondary metabolites predominantly found in the family Brassicaceae and are commonly referred to as mustard oil glucosides (Horbowicz, 2003; Nintemann et al., 2017). Upon herbivore attack, GSLs are hydrolyzed by myrosinase to produce biologically active compounds such as isothiocyanates, nitriles, epithionitriles, and thiocyanates, a defense mechanism commonly referred to as the “mustard oil bomb” (Angelino et al., 2015). This system is spatially compartmentalized in Brassica plants, with glucosinolates stored in vacuoles and myrosinase localized in specialized myrosin cells, thereby preventing autotoxicity under normal conditions (Jones and Vogt, 2001; Kissen et al., 2009). Although specialist insects such as the mustard aphid ( Lipaphis erysimi ) have evolved feeding strategies that limit contact between GSLs and myrosinase by feeding intercellularly with stylets (Tjallingii and Hogen, 1993), variations in glucosinolate concentration and composition still significantly influence aphid infestation (Dilawari and Atwal, 1987). Herbivore attack has been reported to amplify glucosinolate concentrations by up to 20-fold in many Brassica species (Textor and Gershenzon, 2009), with indole glucosinolates being particularly responsive to insect feeding (Chhajed et al., 2020). In Brassica rapa ssp. Rapa salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments induced approximately two- and four-fold increases in glucosinolate content, respectively, by the 10th day after treatment (Schreiner et al., 2011). The elevated glucosinolate levels observed under aphid infestation and elicitor application in the present study therefore provide a strong biochemical basis for reduced aphid performance. Phenolic compounds are another major class of plant secondary metabolites synthesized primarily through the shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways, widely implicated in plant defense against insect pests (Jahangir et al., 2009). These compounds possess strong antioxidant properties and contribute to biochemical deterrence of herbivores (Kahl et al., 2000). The biosynthesis of phenolic compounds is closely linked to the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), a key regulatory enzyme of the phenylpropanoid pathway (Cartea et al., 2011). Increased phenolic accumulation has been widely reported in response to aphid infestation (Ciepiela, 1989). Wheat plants showed enhanced phenolic content following aphid attack (Havlíčková et al., 1998; Kaur et al., 2017), and similar trends have been reported in Brassica crops infested by L. erysimi (Jat et al., 2007; Kumar and Singh, 2012; Leszczyński, 2017). In cabbage ( Brassica oleracea ), herbivory stress increased total phenolic content from 86.14 to 98.87 µg mg⁻¹ (Sharma and Rao, 2013), while Xu et al. (2021) also documented significant upregulation of phenolic compounds under aphid-induced stress. Exogenous application of elicitors further enhances phenolic accumulation by activating defense-related signaling pathways. Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) treatments significantly increased total phenols and antioxidant enzyme activities in Givotia moluccana , with 150 µM JA applied for 20 days resulting in the highest phenolic accumulation (81.83 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW) (Woch et al., 2023). The increased phenolic content observed in aphid-infested and elicitor-treated mustard plants in the present study can therefore be attributed to enhanced PAL-mediated phenylpropanoid metabolism. Overall, the positive trend observed for both glucosinolates and total phenols under aphid infestation reflects a coordinated and robust defense response in mustard plants. The simultaneous induction of these secondary metabolites likely acts synergistically to reduce host plant suitability, impair aphid feeding and reproduction, and ultimately suppress aphid population buildup. Flavonols, Free Amino Acids, and Total Sugars Flavonols, free amino acids, and total sugars are key biochemical constituents that strongly influence host plant suitability for aphids by regulating both nutritional quality and defensive capacity. In the present study, aphid infestation and elicitor application resulted in a marked decline in free amino acids, flavonol and total sugars accumulation, indicating a coordinated metabolic shift from primary metabolism toward defensive secondary metabolite production. Flavonol accumulation is regulated by elicitor-mediated defense signaling, particularly pathways governed by salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). However, the influence of these elicitors on flavonoid biosynthesis is highly context-dependent and varies with plant species, tissue type, and experimental conditions. In Satsuma mandarin, exogenous application of SA and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) resulted in contrasting effects on secondary metabolite production in in vitro-cultured juice sacs. While SA stimulated flavonoid biosynthesis, MeJA markedly inhibited the accumulation of both flavonoids and carotenoids. This differential response was linked to transcriptional regulation of the CitWRKY70 gene, which was upregulated by SA but suppressed by MeJA (Yamamoto et al., 2020). These findings highlight that SA- and JA-mediated signaling pathways can function either antagonistically or synergistically, depending on the physiological and metabolic context. Free amino acids are a major component of phloem sap and play a decisive role in aphid host selection, feeding behavior, fecundity, and population growth (Corcuera, 1993). A positive relationship between amino acid concentration and aphid fecundity has been demonstrated in wheat, where elevated amino acid levels enhanced the reproductive output of Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi (Awmack and Leather, 2002). However, aphid–plant interactions are often species-specific, and several studies in Brassica crops have reported a reduction in free amino acids following aphid infestation, resulting in decreased host suitability and impaired aphid performance (Khattab, 2007; Jat et al., 2007). Resistant cultivars with lower amino acid availability have consistently supported reduced aphid populations (Weibull and Melin, 1990). In the present study, SA and JA application significantly reduced free amino acid content, particularly at higher concentrations, which likely contributed to decreased fecundity, delayed development, and reduced longevity of Lipaphis erysimi, in agreement with previous findings on elicitor-induced nutritional deprivation in insect pests (War and Sharma, 2014; Cui et al., 2012). Similarly, total sugars play a critical role in determining host susceptibility to aphids. Elevated sugar concentrations enhance the nutritive quality of plants and favor aphid establishment and population buildup (Zhang and Liu, 2011). Studies in cereal and Brassica crops have demonstrated that genotypes with higher sugar and amino acid content support larger aphid populations, whereas resistant genotypes exhibit reduced levels of these primary metabolites (Batra et al., 2018). Defense signaling pathways mediated by jasmonates can reprogram carbohydrate metabolism, reducing glucose and fructose concentrations and thereby lowering host suitability for herbivores (Machado et al., 2015). In the present investigation, SA- and JA-treated mustard plants exhibited significantly reduced total sugar content, which likely restricted carbohydrate availability in the phloem sap and contributed to suppressed aphid population growth. Antioxidant and defense-related enzymes in elicitor-mediated resistance While ROS are essential for initiating downstream defense responses, their uncontrolled accumulation can cause oxidative damage to membranes, proteins, chloroplasts, and nucleic acids (Noctor and Foyer, 1998). Consequently, plants rely on a coordinated antioxidative defense system in which superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) act synergistically to balance ROS detoxification with defense signaling. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) serves as the first line of defense by catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide radicals into molecular oxygen and H₂O₂, which is subsequently scavenged by catalase and peroxidases (Del Río et al., 2002). Elevated SOD activity has consistently been associated with aphid resistance across multiple crop systems. Resistant barley, wheat, alfalfa, chrysanthemum, groundnut, pea, and rose cultivars exhibit rapid and enhanced SOD activity following aphid infestation, indicating a more efficient oxidative burst and defense signaling capacity (Ni and Quisenberry, 2003; Moloi and van der Westhuizen, 2006, 2008; Liu and Lan, 2009; He et al., 2011; War et al., 2013; Mai et al., 2013; Muneer et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2020). Importantly, Kaur et al. (2017) demonstrated a coordinated induction of SOD with PAL and PPO, highlighting the integration between oxidative stress management and phenolic defense pathways. Peroxidase (POD) plays a complementary role by detoxifying H₂O₂ and other ROS through substrate oxidation, thereby preventing oxidative injury while simultaneously reinforcing structural defenses (Yoshida et al., 2003; Chen et al., 2009). Significant induction of POD following aphid attack or elicitor application has been documented in soybean, cotton, Brassica, sorghum, faba bean, and alfalfa, with resistant genotypes consistently showing greater enzyme activity than susceptible ones (Ni et al., 2001; Zhang et al., 2005; Park et al., 2006; Wei et al., 2007; Soffan et al., 2014; Singh et al., 2022). Elicitors such as salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, silicon, and other chemical inducers further amplify POD activity across crops (Gomes et al., 2005; Jaiti et al., 2009; Lin et al., 2008; Ghazanfar et al., 2020). Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) contributes to defense by catalyzing the oxidation of o-diphenols into quinones, which are highly reactive and anti-nutritional to herbivores. PPO-mediated resistance operates through alkylation of amino acids, redox cycling–induced oxidative stress in the insect gut, and ROS generation that impairs digestion and nutrient assimilation (Felton et al., 1992; Constabel and Barbehenn, 2008; Ranger et al., 2009). Enhanced PPO activity has been repeatedly associated with insect resistance, including increased PPO levels in buffalograss infested by Blissus occidus (Heng-Moss et al., 2004), tea plants attacked by Helopeltis theivora (Chakraborty and Chakraborty, 2005), and resistant hybrid poplar following aphid feeding (Ramirez et al., 2009). Resistant chrysanthemum and wheat cultivars also exhibited significantly higher PPO activity in response to aphid infestation compared to susceptible counterparts (He et al., 2011; Xu et al., 2021). Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) acts as a central regulatory enzyme linking oxidative defenses to secondary metabolism. By catalyzing the conversion of L-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid, PAL initiates the phenylpropanoid pathway, leading to the synthesis of phenolic acids, flavonoids, phytoalexins, and lignin, all of which contribute to resistance against herbivores (Gerasimova et al., 2005; Pant and Huang, 2022). PAL also plays a role in salicylic acid biosynthesis, thereby reinforcing SA-mediated defense signaling (Pallas et al., 1996; Rivas and Plasencia, 2011). Rapid induction of PAL activity has been reported during early stages of insect infestation, often preceding changes in metabolite accumulation, as observed in orchids, wheat, lettuce, barley, Arabidopsis, Brassica, pea, and cotton (Cole, 1984; Ciepiela, 1989; Havlíčková et al., 1996; Moran and Thompson, 2001; Zhang et al., 2005; Mai et al., 2014; Lv et al., 2017; Golan et al., 2017; Batra et al., 2018). Silicon- and SA-mediated resistance in rice and wheat further demonstrated coordinated induction of PAL along with SOD, POD, and PPO under aphid or planthopper attack (Lin et al., 2022; Xu et al., 2021). In the present study, foliar application of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid significantly enhanced the activities of SOD, POD, PPO, and PAL in mustard plants. The simultaneous upregulation of these enzymes indicates a tightly coordinated defense network integrating oxidative stress regulation, phenolic metabolism, and anti-nutritional mechanisms. Thus, the combined activation of antioxidative and phenylpropanoid enzymes provides a strong biochemical basis for elicitor-mediated resistance in mustard. Declarations AUTHOR’S CONTRIBUTION Conceptualization and designing of the research work (SK); Execution of field/lab experiments and data collection (HST, SS; Analysis of data and interpretation (HST); Preparation of manuscript (HST, SK). Funding: The authors acknowledge the financial support and research facilities provided by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, for conducting this study. The authors declare no conflict of interest. Data Availability Statement The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study, including measurementsof physiological, biochemical, and enzymatic parameters of Brassica juncea under stressconditions, are not publicly available due to institutional policies and ongoingresearchconsiderations but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Harvinder Singh Tiwana [email protected] Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141001 References Agarwal D K, Billore S D, Sharma A N, Dupare B U and Srivastava S K 2013 Soybean: introduction, improvement and utilization in India—problems and prospects. Agri Res 2 : 293-300. Bhattacharyya P K, Ram H H and Kole P C 1999 Inheritance of resistance to yellow mosaic virus in interspecific crosses of soybean. Euphytica 108 : 157-59. FAO 2023 Statistical database. Available: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC. Gupta S K and Manjaya J G 2022 Advances in improvement of soybean seed composition traits using genetic, genomic and biotechnological approaches. Euphytica 218 : 99. Khosla G, Gill B S, Sirari A, Sharma P and Singh S 2021 Inheritance and molecular mapping of resistance against mungbean yellow mosaic India virus in soybean ( Glycine max ). Plant Breed 140 : 860-69. Kumawat G, Singh G, Gireesh C, Shivakumar M, Arya M, Agarwal D K and Husain S M 2015 Molecular characterization and genetic diversity analysis of soybean ( Glycine max L. Merr.) germplasm accessions in India. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 21 : 101-07. Maranna S, Kumawat G, Nataraj V, Gill B S, Nargund R, Sharma A and Gupta S 2023. Development of improved genotypes for extra early maturity, higher yield and Mungbean Yellow Mosaic India Virus (MYMIV) resistance in soybean ( Glycine max ). Crop Pasture Sci 74 : 1165-79. Nichal S S, Zope A V, Gawande P P, Ratnaparkhi R D and Nandanwar R S 2018 Genetics of yellow mosaic virus (YMV) disease in soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Inter J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci 6 : 2496-99. Rani A, Kumar V, Gill B S, Rathi P, Shukla S and Singh R K 2017 Linkage mapping of Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) resistance gene in soybean. Breed Sci 67: 95-100. Rani A, Kumar V, Gill B S, Shukla S, Rathi P and Singh R K 2018 Mapping of duplicate dominant genes for Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus resistance in Glycine soja . Crop Sci 58 : 1566-74. Singh B B and Malick A S 1978 Inheritance of resistance to yellow mosaic in soybean. Indian J Genet Plant Breed 38 : 258–61. Singh B B, Gupta S C and Singh B D 1974a Sources of field resistance to rust and yellow mosaic diseases of soybean. Indian J Genet 34 : 400-04. Singh B B, Singh B D and Gupta S C 1974b PI171443 and Glycine formosana resistant lines for yellow mosaic of soybean. Soybean Genet Newsl 1 : 17-18. Talukdar A, Harish G D, Shivakumar M, Kumar B, Verma K, Lal S K, Sapra R L and Singh K P 2013 Genetics of yellow mosaic virus (YMV) resistance in cultivated soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Legume Res 36 : 263-67. Usharani K S, Haq M R and Malathi V G 2004 Yellow mosaic disease infecting soybean in northern India is distinct from the species infecting soybean in southern India. Curr Sci 86 : 845-50. Varma A, Dhar A K and MandaI B 1992 MYMV transmission and its control in India. In: Mungbean yellow mosaic disease. Proc of an International Workshop . Bangkok, Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan, pp. 54-58. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9256770","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":637996972,"identity":"db9a27bf-b103-4d52-ac8b-1ecc861478bc","order_by":0,"name":"Harvinder Singh Tiwana","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA9UlEQVRIie3RMWrDMBSAYYkH9uLEaz3lCs4UAgm+SoxW5wYdXAzq4mZWptzCayweeAp4NahbobO9lFDSEqmZOtROtkD1g8Qb9IGECLHZ7rBQr9IMPtC0bPXguIMELiR4zqQUhsAV5DIcKoaemYbIzK8leo+vE9IkIS4+i8kYCG275G8yF4ygV71Pn4Qm642aciAQbIueizVAMHGQZg+G5Ipq4sCoj9SoyTdG3JB5rqJhUuqLrTnGuVetkBxVPEwaFuLXBplws1K+pIpxoFn/W2r51okPXO71c9rjSS13+oParof8jvKfPb32vOl0y2GbzWb7L50BGcpb0GmpDVkAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Punjab Agricultural University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Harvinder","middleName":"Singh","lastName":"Tiwana","suffix":""},{"id":637996973,"identity":"3f3f5e18-5062-4492-abf6-dc986af146f0","order_by":1,"name":"Sarwan Kumar","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Punjab Agricultural University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sarwan","middleName":"","lastName":"Kumar","suffix":""},{"id":637996975,"identity":"86b6af1d-f8b3-4cca-a97f-8bcb8e8f2c5b","order_by":2,"name":"Sanjula Sharma","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Punjab Agricultural University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sanjula","middleName":"","lastName":"Sharma","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-29 06:23:15","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9256770/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9256770/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":109164180,"identity":"c6430082-7723-4b46-b0f1-021d591b6129","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-13 08:02:29","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":866069,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9256770/v1/763a5cff-b07c-4961-8dc7-d0072d956b95.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eEffect of Selected Plant Elicitors on Induced Resistance in Mustard Against Lipaphis Erysimi (Kaltenbach)\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"Key Message","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Exogenous application of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid significantly enhanced resistance of mustard plants against the turnip aphid under both field and laboratory conditions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; The findings indicate that insect-induced biotic stress stimulates increased production of reactive oxygen species and defensive phytochemicals in treated plants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; As host plant resistance remains a relatively underexplored research area, this study offers a novel perspective on host\u0026ndash;insect interactions for developing sustainable pest management strategies.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eIndian mustard (\u003cem\u003eBrassica juncea\u003c/em\u003e (L.) Czern) is one of the most widely cultivated oilseed crops in India and neighboring countries and also holds considerable significance at the global level (Choudhary et al. 2023). Its commercial importance is expected to increase further owing to the rising consumer demand for mustard oil. India continues to rely heavily on imports to meet its edible oil requirements, which are projected to reach approximately 34\u0026nbsp;million tonnes by 2025. Of this demand, nearly 14\u0026nbsp;million tonnes are anticipated to be contributed by Indian mustard alone (Sharma et al. 2025a). Over the past three decades, the global area under oilseed cultivation has expanded by about 82 per cent, while production has increased by nearly 240 per cent (El-Hamidi and Zaher 2018). Mustard production has shown a substantial rise, increasing by about 37 per cent over three years and reaching 124.94 lakh tonnes, accompanied by a 7 per cent improvement in productivity (1419 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;). Similarly, the area under rapeseed\u0026ndash;mustard cultivation increased by 28 per cent between 2019\u0026ndash;20 and 2022\u0026ndash;23, contributing to a record agricultural export value of USD 53.145\u0026nbsp;billion during 2022\u0026ndash;23 (Anonymous 2024). Despite these advances, the average productivity of mustard in India (1284 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;) remains considerably lower than the global average of 1980 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; (DRMR 2024).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis yield gap is attributed to multiple factors, including both abiotic and biotic stresses. Among the biotic constraints, the mustard or turnip aphid, \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e (Kaltenbach, 1843) (Homoptera: Aphididae), is regarded as one of the most destructive pests of rapeseed\u0026ndash;mustard, particularly in subtropical regions such as India, where the crop is grown during the winter season (Blackman and Eastop 2000). In the northern plains of India, aphid activity extends from September to March, coinciding with critical growth and maturity stages of the crop. \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e is a phloem-feeding insect that initially colonizes tender shoots, leaves, and inflorescences. Earlier studies have reported yield losses ranging from 66 to 96 per cent due to aphid infestation, along with a 5\u0026ndash;6 per cent reduction in oil content (Malik and Deen 1998; Shylesha et al. 2006).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe feeding process of \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e involves stylet penetration through plant tissues to access phloem sap, with stylet movement occurring predominantly through intercellular spaces in the mesophyll. This feeding strategy causes minimal physical damage, allowing the aphid to remain largely undetected by the host plant. Maintaining phloem cell integrity during sap uptake is essential for successful and sustained feeding (Bhatia et al. 2011). From a crop improvement perspective, the development of resistant or tolerant cultivars remains a major objective, as such varieties form the backbone of effective and sustainable integrated pest management programmes. Cultivars combining high yield potential with moderate to high levels of resistance are particularly desirable for environmentally sound aphid management. Chemical insecticides are generally considered a measure of last resort and are recommended only when alternative management strategies prove ineffective, as their indiscriminate use has been shown to negatively affect beneficial parasitoids and predators (Sharma et al. 2019).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe long-term co-evolution between plants and herbivorous insects has resulted in the evolution of complex plant defense mechanisms. These defenses are largely regulated by hormonal signaling networks that control the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Major signaling molecules involved in plant defense include salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene (ET), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Interactions among these signaling components, through synergistic and antagonistic pathways, enable plants to fine-tune their defense responses against herbivores (Morkunas et al. 2011).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlants also possess structural defenses, including spines, trichomes, and thorns, which act as physical barriers against insect herbivores. In addition, constitutive chemical defenses are continuously present within plant tissues and contribute to basal resistance (Karabourniotis et al. 2020; Kortbeek et al. 2021). Among the various defense signaling molecules, SA and JA play pivotal roles in the activation of systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Salicylic acid, in particular, has been associated with enhanced tolerance to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses (Muhammad et al. 2024). The concept of induced resistance has gained recognition as an efficient plant defense strategy that operates with minimal adverse effects on plant growth and development (Karban 2011). Induced resistance involves coordinated morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes in response to herbivore attack and is primarily regulated by phytohormonal signaling, especially through SA- and JA-mediated pathways (Yang et al. 2019).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeveral studies have demonstrated that exogenous application of elicitors such as SA and JA can successfully activate induced resistance in plants. These elicitors stimulate both direct and indirect defense mechanisms by modulating the octadecanoid and hexadecanoid pathways (F\u0026uuml;rstenberg 2013). The evaluation of plant defense elicitors therefore offers promising opportunities for developing innovative and sustainable pest management strategies. Host plant resistance, particularly in rapeseed\u0026ndash;mustard agroecosystems, represents an important yet underutilized component of sustainable pest management (Sharma 2007; Kumari et al. 2022). Elicitors such as SA and JA are known to prime plants for enhanced direct and indirect defenses, leading to broad-spectrum resistance against arthropod pests, including aphids.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of selected plant elicitors in inducing host resistance against the mustard aphid in rapeseed\u0026ndash;mustard. Furthermore, the investigation aimed to elucidate the associated biochemical and physiological changes following elicitor application. Insights gained from this study may contribute to a better understanding of defense activation mechanisms and support the development of mustard cultivars with improved tolerance to herbivory.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"MATERIALS AND METHODS","content":"\u003cp\u003eExperimental site and crop details\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted to evaluate the role of selected plant elicitors in inducing resistance in mustard against the mustard aphid, \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e, through field, biological, and biochemical assessments. Field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Area of the Oilseeds Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, India (30.91\u0026deg;N, 75.86\u0026deg;E). The site represents the agro-climatic conditions of the central plain zone of Punjab and is well suited for rapeseed\u0026ndash;mustard cultivation. Experiments were conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023\u0026ndash;24 and 2024\u0026ndash;25 (November\u0026ndash;March), characterized by moderate rainfall and high humidity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTest insect\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe mustard aphid, \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e (Homoptera: Aphididae), which occurs naturally on rapeseed\u0026ndash;mustard crops in Punjab, was used as the test insect. Aphid populations generally peak during February\u0026ndash;March, and both field and laboratory studies were synchronized with this period. Field plots were monitored regularly to record aphid establishment, and elicitor applications were timed to coincide with the initial pest appearance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eField evaluation\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant material and elicitor application\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeds of \u003cem\u003eBrassica juncea\u003c/em\u003e cv. Giriraj were sown during the second week of November to enhance aphid pressure during the flowering stage. Crop management followed recommended agronomic practices. Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) solutions were prepared fresh before application. SA was dissolved in methanol and diluted with distilled water to obtain concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mM, while corresponding JA concentrations were prepared similarly. Foliar sprays were applied using a knapsack sprayer at the early vegetative stage, coinciding with aphid appearance. Treatments included three concentrations each of SA and JA, solvent control (water\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;methanol), water spray, and untreated control, with three replications arranged in a randomized block design.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphid populations were recorded from the top 10 cm of the central twig of randomly selected plants per plot one day before treatment and at 3, 7, and 10 days after treatment (DAT). Observations on natural enemy abundance and yield parameters were also recorded.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eField data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) under a randomized block design (RBD). Treatment means were separated using the least significant difference (LSD) test at the 5% significance level (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of elicitors on aphid biological parameters\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLaboratory bioassays were conducted in the Plant Protection Laboratory, Oilseeds Section, PAU, Ludhiana, following a completely randomized design (CRD) with nine treatments and three replications. Mustard plants (cv. Giriraj) received the same elicitor treatments as in the field experiment. Elicitors were applied 24 h prior to bioassays. Treated twigs were excised and placed in glass test tubes with moist cotton to maintain freshness. Ten newly emerged (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;8 h old) \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e nymphs were released per replication. Bioassays were conducted in a B.O.D. incubator at 22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u0026deg;C. Observations were recorded on nymphal survival, developmental duration, adult longevity, and fecundity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eData were subjected to ANOVA appropriate for CRD, and treatment means were compared using LSD at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiochemical analysis\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSample collection and estimation\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiochemical analyses were performed in the Biochemistry Laboratory, Oilseeds Section, PAU, Ludhiana, using a completely randomized design with three replications. Top inflorescences (10 cm) were collected from treated plants at peak aphid infestation, 48 h after elicitor application. Samples were transported on ice and processed immediately for enzymatic assays, while samples for non-enzymatic estimations were oven-dried. Biochemical parameters analyzed included glucosinolates, total phenols, flavonols, sugars, free amino acids, and the activities of peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and superoxide dismutase (SOD).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiochemical data were analyzed using ANOVA under CRD. Treatment means were compared using LSD at the 5% level of significance, and correlation analysis was performed to assess associations between biochemical traits and \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e infestation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cp\u003eEffect of plant elicitors on aphid population and yield\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Experiment 1, aphid populations did not differ significantly among treatments prior to elicitor application during both cropping seasons (Tables\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). During the 2023\u0026ndash;24 season, aphid numbers increased in all treatments three days after application; however, significant differences were observed among treatments, reflecting variation in population buildup. All elicitor-treated plots recorded significantly lower aphid populations compared to the untreated control, with percent reduction ranging from 31.7 to 44.7. Although aphid density increased relative to pre-treatment levels, the magnitude of increase was markedly lower than that observed in the control.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt seven days after treatment, aphid populations in all elicitor treatments remained significantly lower than in the untreated control. The lowest reduction over control (37.3%) was recorded with salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM, followed by jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (40.7%). A similar trend persisted at ten days after treatment, with all elicitor-treated plots sustaining significantly reduced aphid populations relative to the control. The pattern of aphid suppression during the 2024\u0026ndash;25 season closely mirrored that observed in 2023\u0026ndash;24 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSignificant differences in seed yield were recorded among treatments across both seasons. All elicitor applications resulted in significantly higher yields compared to the untreated control. During the 2023\u0026ndash;24 season, the highest yield (1871.75 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;) was obtained with SA at 1.5 mM, followed by SA at 1.0 mM (1787.50 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;) and 0.5 mM (1739.00 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1;). Jasmonic acid treatments resulted in yields of 1712.75, 1629.25, and 1586.50 kg ha⁻\u0026sup1; at 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5 mM, respectively (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). A comparable yield trend was observed during the 2024\u0026ndash;25 season, with salicylic acid treatments consistently outperforming jasmonic acid treatments (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of different treatments on mustard aphid population during 2023-24 crop season\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 DAS*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 DAS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 DAS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYield\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(kg ha-1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphids plant-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePROC**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphids plant-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePROC*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphids plant-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePROC*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1739.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1787.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1871.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1586.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1629.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1712.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1516.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1475.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1418.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003e* DAS: Days after spray, **PROC: Per cent reduction over untreated control\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of different treatments on mustard aphid population during 2024-25 crop season\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3DAS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7DAS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10DAS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYield\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(kg ha-1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphids plant-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePROC*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphids plant-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePROC*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphids plant-1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePROC*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1587.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1622.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1717.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1475.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1518.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1543.75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e103.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1366.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-1.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e106.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1331.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e112.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1293.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003e* DAS: Days after spray, **PROC: Per cent reduction over untreated control\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of elicitors on biological parameters of \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNymphal survival of \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e was assessed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 days after release (DAR) under different elicitor treatments (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). At 3 DAR, nymphal survival remained high across all treatments (\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;90%), with no significant differences among them. The untreated control recorded complete survival (100%), while comparatively lower survival was observed in salicylic acid (SA) treatments at 0.5 and 1.5 mM, although these differences were not statistically significant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBy 6 DAR, treatment effects became more pronounced. The lowest nymphal survival (56.67%) was observed in SA at 1.5 mM, which was significantly lower than most other treatments (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). In contrast, the water-sprayed treatment exhibited the highest survival (96.67%), similar to levels recorded at 3 DAR. Survival rates under SA at 0.5 mM (76.67%) and 1.0 mM (73.33%) did not differ significantly from each other. Likewise, jasmonic acid (JA) treatments showed no significant differences among concentrations, indicating a comparable effect on nymphal survival at this stage.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of different treatments on nymphal survival under laboratory conditions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNymphal survival (%) (Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3DAR**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6DAR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9DAR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12DAR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSA* 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.77a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.77bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.67b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSA 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.67b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSA 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.77a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.77b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJA 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJA 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.77bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.77b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJA 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.67b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.77ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.77a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003e**DAR: Days after Release, *SA: Salicylic acid, JA: Jasmonic acid\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt 9 DAR, the suppressive effect of elicitor treatments on nymphal survival became more evident (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). The lowest survival (40.00%) was again recorded in salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM, whereas the water-sprayed treatment maintained the highest survival (96.67%). Survival under SA at 0.5 mM (60.00%) and 1.0 mM (56.67%) did not differ significantly. Jasmonic acid (JA) treatments continued to show no significant differences among concentrations, although survival levels were consistently lower than those observed in the control treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBy 12 DAR, nymphal survival on elicitor-treated twigs declined further, with all elicitor treatments recording survival slightly above 40%, which was significantly lower than that in the control treatments. The minimum survival (40.00%) was again observed in SA at 1.5 mM. In contrast, the highest survival was recorded in the water-only treatment (90.00%), followed by the untreated control (86.67%) and methanol treatment (80.00%), all of which were significantly superior to the elicitor-treated twigs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of elicitors on nymphal development of \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn addition to reducing nymphal survival, plant elicitor treatments significantly affected the nymphal development period of \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e under laboratory conditions (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). All elicitor treatments resulted in a significant prolongation of nymphal development compared to the untreated control, water spray, and methanol treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of different treatments on nymphal development period under laboratory conditions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNympal development period (days) (Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid @ 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid @ 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid @ 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid @ 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid @ 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid @ 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00de\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.33e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong the treatments, salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM caused the greatest delay in nymphal development, with a mean duration of 15.33 days, which was significantly longer than all other treatments. Lower concentrations of SA (0.5 and 1.0 mM) also prolonged development, recording 11.67 and 12.00 days, respectively; these treatments were statistically at par with each other but significantly inferior to SA at 1.5 mM. Jasmonic acid (JA) treatments similarly extended the nymphal period relative to controls, with development duration ranging from 9.33 days at 0.5 mM to 11.33 days at 1.5 mM. However, differences among JA concentrations were not statistically significant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe shortest nymphal development period was observed in the water-only treatment (6.67 days), followed by the untreated control (7.33 days) and methanol treatment (8.00 days), all of which were significantly shorter than those recorded under elicitor-treated twigs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of elicitors on fecundity of \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant elicitor treatments significantly influenced the fecundity of \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e under laboratory conditions (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). Mean fecundity across treatments ranged from 12.83 to 26.16 nymphs per female, indicating a pronounced suppressive effect of elicitors on aphid reproductive potential.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of different treatments on aphid fecundity under laboratory conditions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFecundity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(no. of nymphs/♀) (Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid @ 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid @ 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid @ 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid @ 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid @ 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid @ 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.38a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.741\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong all treatments, salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM resulted in the lowest fecundity (12.83 nymphs female⁻\u0026sup1;), which was significantly lower than all other treatments. Lower concentrations of SA (0.5 and 1.0 mM) also significantly reduced fecundity, recording 15.17 and 15.60 nymphs female⁻\u0026sup1;, respectively; these treatments were statistically comparable to jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (15.42 nymphs female⁻\u0026sup1;). Jasmonic acid at 0.5 and 1.0 mM resulted in fecundity values of 16.40 and 16.42 nymphs female⁻\u0026sup1;, respectively, which were significantly higher than those recorded under SA treatments but remained significantly lower than the control treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn contrast, methanol (23.93 nymphs female⁻\u0026sup1;), water-only (26.16 nymphs female⁻\u0026sup1;), and untreated control (26.06 nymphs female⁻\u0026sup1;) treatments exhibited significantly higher fecundity than all elicitor-treated twigs. The water-only and untreated control treatments were statistically at par and recorded the highest reproductive output.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of elicitors on adult longevity of \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant elicitor application significantly affected the adult longevity of \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e). Mean adult lifespan varied markedly among treatments, ranging from 2.33 to 14.00 days.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM resulted in the shortest adult longevity (2.33 days), which was significantly lower than all other treatments. Lower concentrations of SA (0.5 and 1.0 mM) also markedly reduced adult lifespan, recording 4.67 and 4.33 days, respectively; these treatments were statistically comparable to jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (4.33 days). Jasmonic acid at 0.5 and 1.0 mM resulted in moderately higher longevity values of 6.00 and 5.67 days, respectively, but these were still significantly lower than those observed in non-elicitor treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn contrast, methanol (11.33 days), water-only (13.67 days), and untreated control (14.00 days) treatments recorded significantly greater adult longevity compared to all elicitor-treated twigs. The water-only and untreated control treatments were statistically at par and exhibited the longest adult lifespan.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of different treatments on aphid longevity under laboratory conditions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdult longevity (days) (Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid @ 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid @ 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid @ 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid @ 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid @ 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid @ 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.88a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.58a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiochemical changes in mustard plants following elicitor application\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlucosinolates\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlucosinolates, sulphur-containing secondary metabolites characteristic of Brassicaceae, showed significant variation among treatments both before and after aphid infestation (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e). In uninfested plants, glucosinolate content ranged from 26.80 to 54.77 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; dry tissue. The highest accumulation was recorded under salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (54.77 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), which was significantly higher than all other treatments. This was followed by jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (42.93 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and SA at 1.0 mM (40.77 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). Moderate levels were observed in SA at 0.5 mM (37.30 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.0 mM (34.37 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). Water-only (31.90 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and untreated control (30.90 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) treatments were statistically comparable, while the lowest levels were recorded in JA at 0.5 mM (29.90 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and the methanol treatment (26.80 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing aphid infestation, glucosinolate content increased across most treatments, ranging from 27.20 to 67.70 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; dry tissue. Salicylic acid at 1.5 mM again recorded the highest concentration (67.70 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), remaining significantly superior to all other treatments. This was followed by SA at 1.0 mM (58.73 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.5 mM (56.03 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). Intermediate levels were observed in SA at 0.5 mM (49.37 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.0 mM (41.77 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). Lower glucosinolate accumulation was recorded in JA at 0.5 mM (32.93 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), water-only (32.63 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and untreated control (32.97 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) treatments, which were statistically at par, while the methanol treatment exhibited the lowest values under infested conditions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA marked increase in glucosinolate content following aphid infestation was evident in elicitor-treated plants, particularly under SA treatments. The highest percent increase was recorded in SA at 1.0 mM (44.07%), followed by SA at 0.5 mM (32.35%) and JA at 1.5 mM (30.51%). In contrast, methanol (1.49%), water-only (2.30%), and untreated control (6.69%) treatments showed only marginal changes.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlucosinolates content (mg/g) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePer cent increase/decrease over uninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.87d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.35a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.35a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.90\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.14g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.98e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.65e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.49b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.40h\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.47g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.90\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.53f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.44f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.90\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.69fg\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal phenols\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal phenols, key secondary metabolites involved in plant defense, were significantly influenced by elicitor application in mustard plants (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e). In uninfested plants, total phenol content ranged from 9.51 to 11.47 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; dry tissue. Although numerical variation was observed, most elicitor treatments did not differ significantly. The highest phenol content was recorded under jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.0 mM (11.47 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), which was statistically comparable with salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (11.44 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), SA at 1.0 mM (11.36 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), JA at 1.5 mM (11.41 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and SA at 0.5 mM (11.19 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). Lower phenol content was observed in JA at 0.5 mM (10.67 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), while the untreated control (9.51 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), water-only (9.83 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and methanol (9.97 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) treatments recorded the lowest and statistically comparable values.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing aphid infestation, significant differences among treatments became evident, with total phenol content ranging from 9.82 to 13.79 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; dry tissue. Salicylic acid at 1.5 mM resulted in the highest phenol accumulation (13.79 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), which was significantly higher than all other treatments. This was followed by JA at 1.5 mM (13.19 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), SA at 1.0 mM (12.86 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and SA at 0.5 mM (12.55 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). Moderate phenol levels were observed under JA at 1.0 mM (12.39 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 0.5 mM (11.83 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). The water-only (10.62 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and methanol (10.26 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) treatments showed comparatively lower accumulation, while the untreated control recorded the lowest phenol content (9.82 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab8\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 8\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal phenols content (mg/g) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePer cent increase/decrease over uninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.36\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.39\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11fg\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphid infestation led to an overall increase in total phenol content in elicitor-treated plants. The highest percent increase was observed under SA at 1.5 mM (20.51%), followed by JA at 1.5 mM (15.60%) and SA at 1.0 mM (13.17%). In contrast, methanol (2.97%), untreated control (3.29%), and water-only (8.04%) treatments exhibited minimal increases, indicating a weaker inducible phenolic response in the absence of elicitor application.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlavonols\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlavonol content in mustard plants was significantly influenced by elicitor application (Table X). In uninfested plants, flavonol concentration ranged from 10.59 to 13.24 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; dry tissue, with significant differences among treatments. The highest flavonol accumulation was recorded under salicylic acid (SA) at 0.5 mM (13.24 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), which was significantly higher than all other treatments, followed by SA at 1.0 mM (12.65 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). Moderate flavonol levels were observed in jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.0 mM (11.76 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), water-only (11.67 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), SA at 1.5 mM (11.43 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and JA at 1.5 mM (11.32 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), which were statistically comparable. Lower flavonol content was recorded in JA at 0.5 mM (11.02 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and the untreated control (10.77 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), while the methanol treatment recorded the lowest value (10.59 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), statistically at par with the untreated control.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing aphid infestation, flavonol levels declined in most treatments, ranging from 7.54 to 12.94 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; dry tissue, with significant treatment effects. The lowest flavonol content was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (7.54 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), which was significantly lower than all other treatments, followed by JA at 1.5 mM (9.99 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). Intermediate flavonol levels were recorded in SA at 1.0 mM (10.73 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), untreated control (10.88 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), JA at 1.0 mM (10.97 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and methanol (11.22 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), which were statistically comparable. Higher flavonol accumulation was observed in SA at 0.5 mM (11.98 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and the water-only treatment (12.94 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab9\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 9\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlavonols content (mg/g) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePer cent increase/ decrease over uninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-9.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-15.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.54\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-34.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.36deg\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.39cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-6.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06cde\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-11.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17ef\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.88\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphid infestation led to a general decline in flavonol content in elicitor-treated mustard plants, with the effect being more pronounced under salicylic acid (SA) treatments. The greatest reduction was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (34.06%), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (15.15%) and SA at 0.5 mM (9.50%). In contrast, jasmonic acid (JA) treatments exhibited comparatively smaller decreases in flavonol levels, with reductions of 11.73%, 6.72%, and 3.68% at 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5 mM, respectively. Conversely, methanol (5.98%), water-only (10.91%), and untreated control (0.99%) treatments showed either a slight increase or negligible change in flavonol content following aphid infestation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal sugars\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal sugars are key mediators of insect\u0026ndash;plant interactions, as elevated sugar levels often enhance host suitability for sap-feeding insects such as aphids. The application of plant elicitors significantly influenced total sugar content in mustard plants (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn uninfested plants, total sugar content ranged from 7.80 to 15.31 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; dry tissue. All elicitor-treated plants recorded significantly lower sugar levels compared to the water-only, methanol solvent, and untreated control treatments. Among elicitor treatments, jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM resulted in the lowest sugar content (7.80 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), followed by salicylic acid (SA) at 0.5 mM (8.28 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), SA at 1.0 mM (8.56 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), SA at 1.5 mM (8.66 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), JA at 0.5 mM (8.63 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and JA at 1.0 mM (8.79 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). These elicitor treatments were statistically at par with each other. In contrast, significantly higher sugar contents were observed in the methanol solvent (11.99 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and untreated control (13.28 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), while the highest value was recorded in the water-only treatment (15.31 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA similar pattern was observed in aphid-infested plants, where total sugar content ranged from 5.31 to 20.97 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; dry tissue. The lowest sugar content was recorded in SA at 1.5 mM (5.31 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (5.91 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), JA at 1.5 mM (6.25 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), SA at 0.5 mM (6.91 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), JA at 0.5 mM (7.56 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and JA at 1.0 mM (7.62 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). All elicitor treatments were statistically comparable and remained significantly lower than the non-elicitor treatments. Significantly higher sugar contents were recorded in the methanol solvent (15.73 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) and water-only treatment (20.18 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), whereas the untreated control exhibited the highest sugar content (20.97 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphid infestation resulted in a marked reduction in total sugar content in all elicitor-treated plants. The maximum reduction was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (38.66%), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (30.99%) and JA at 1.5 mM (19.88%). Moderate reductions were recorded in SA at 0.5 mM (16.51%), JA at 1.0 mM (13.32%), and JA at 0.5 mM (12.33%). In contrast, methanol (31.25%), water-only (31.84%), and untreated control (57.88%) treatments showed a substantial increase in total sugar content following aphid infestation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab10\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 10\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal sugars content (mg/g) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePer cent increase/ decrease over uninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34cde\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-16.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02de\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-30.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-38.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-12.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-13.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33cde\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-19.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.52b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.40b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.82b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree amino acids\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree amino acids (FAAs) constitute an essential nutritional resource for aphids, as these insects rely entirely on host plants for the supply of several essential amino acids. The application of plant elicitors significantly altered FAA concentrations in mustard plants under both uninfested and aphid-infested conditions (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn uninfested plants, FAA content varied between 0.41 and 0.74 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; fresh tissue. Although minor numerical differences were evident among treatments, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences among elicitor applications. The lowest FAA levels were observed in plants treated with salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (0.41 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), followed by jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (0.54 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), SA at 1.0 mM (0.58 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), JA at 1.0 mM (0.60 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), JA at 0.5 mM (0.67 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and SA at 0.5 mM (0.69 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). In contrast, significantly higher FAA concentrations were recorded in the water-only (0.74 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), untreated control (0.73 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and methanol solvent (0.71 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) treatments compared to elicitor-treated plants.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing aphid infestation, FAA content differed significantly among treatments, with values ranging from 0.29 to 0.79 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; fresh tissue. The lowest FAA concentration was recorded in SA at 1.5 mM (0.29 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), which was significantly lower than all other treatments. This was followed by SA at 1.0 mM and JA at 1.5 mM (0.47 mg g⁻\u0026sup1; each), which were statistically at par. Intermediate FAA levels were observed in JA at 1.0 mM (0.55 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), SA at 0.5 mM (0.58 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and JA at 0.5 mM (0.64 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;). In contrast, the methanol solvent (0.74 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), water-only (0.78 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;), and untreated control (0.79 mg g⁻\u0026sup1;) treatments exhibited significantly higher FAA contents, with the untreated control recording the maximum value.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab11\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 11\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree amino acids content (mg/g) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePer cent increase/ decrease over uninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.69\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-16.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03abc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-18.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-30.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-4.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-8.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.54\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-13.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.71\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphid infestation led to an overall decline in FAA content in all elicitor-treated plants. The greatest reduction was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (30.43%), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (18.17%) and JA at 1.5 mM (13.60%). Smaller reductions were noted in SA at 0.5 mM (16.59%), JA at 1.0 mM (8.46%), and JA at 0.5 mM (4.36%). Conversely, methanol (3.22%), water-only (6.10%), and untreated control (8.24%) treatments showed an increase in FAA content following aphid infestation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeroxidase (POX) Activity\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeroxidase (POX) activity varied significantly among treatments in both uninfested and aphid-infested mustard plants (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab12\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e). In uninfested plants, POX activity ranged from 13.98 to 41.17 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1; fresh tissue. The highest activity was observed in salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (41.17 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), which was significantly higher than all other treatments, followed by SA at 1.0 mM (33.40 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (31.45 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), which were statistically comparable. Moderate activity levels were noted in SA at 0.5 mM (29.29 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.0 mM (26.59 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;). Lower activities were recorded in JA at 0.5 mM (18.99 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), water-only (17.23 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), and untreated control (15.52 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), with the methanol solvent exhibiting the lowest activity (13.98 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab12\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 12\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeroxidase (POX) activity (units/min/ g fresh weight of tissue) in uninfested and aphid uninfested plants following treatment with plant elicitors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePer cent increase/ decrease over uninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.35bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.22d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e114.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.75b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.46\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.20b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e164.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.12a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e120.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.66a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e193.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.11d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.36e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e142.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.12c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.68\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.91d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e135.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.20c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e136.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.44e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.60de\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.93f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.04de\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.95f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUpon aphid infestation, POX activity increased markedly in all elicitor-treated plants, ranging from 15.47 to 120.65 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;. SA at 1.5 mM again recorded the maximum activity (120.65 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (88.46 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.5 mM (74.40 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;). Comparable activities were observed in SA at 0.5 mM (62.70 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.0 mM (62.68 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), while lower activities occurred in JA at 0.5 mM (46.04 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), untreated control (28.26 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), and water-only (29.32 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;). The methanol solvent recorded the lowest activity among infested plants (15.47 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphid infestation caused a substantial induction of POX activity in elicitor-treated plants. The highest percent increases were observed in SA at 1.5 mM (193.04%), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (164.83%) and JA at 0.5 mM (142.38%). Moderate increases were recorded in JA at 1.5 mM (136.60%), JA at 1.0 mM (135.70%), and SA at 0.5 mM (114.05%). In contrast, lower increases were observed in water-only (70.16%), untreated control (82.09%), and methanol solvent (10.63%) treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePolyphenol Oxidase (PPO) Activity\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePolyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity differed significantly among treatments in both uninfested and aphid-infested mustard plants (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab13\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e). In uninfested plants, PPO activity ranged from 1.40 to 3.32 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1; fresh tissue. The highest activity was recorded in salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (3.32 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), followed by jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (2.99 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and SA at 1.0 mM (2.67 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;). Moderate activities were observed in SA at 0.5 mM (2.22 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.0 mM (2.30 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), while JA at 0.5 mM (2.06 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) was slightly lower. The water-only (1.72 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), untreated control (1.66 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), and methanol solvent (1.40 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) treatments recorded the lowest activities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab13\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 13\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePolyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (units/min/ g fresh weight of tissue) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePer cent increase/ decrease over uninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e98.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e114.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07h\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.72\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.39\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09ef\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphid infestation increased PPO activity in all treatments, with values ranging from 1.53 to 7.10 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;. The highest activity was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (7.10 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (5.31 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.5 mM (4.47 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;). Intermediate activities were recorded in SA at 0.5 mM (4.15 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), JA at 1.0 mM (3.44 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), and JA at 0.5 mM (3.07 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), while lower activities were observed in water-only (2.39 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), untreated control (2.29 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), and methanol (1.53 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe percent increase in PPO activity following aphid infestation was greatest in SA at 1.5 mM (114.05%), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (98.76%) and SA at 0.5 mM (86.68%). Jasmonic acid treatments showed moderate increases (49.03\u0026ndash;49.57%), whereas water-only (38.89%) and untreated control (37.95%) treatments exhibited lower increases. The methanol solvent treatment showed the minimal increase (9.52%).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL) Activity\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity varied significantly among treatments in both uninfested and aphid-infested mustard plants, indicating elicitor-mediated activation of the phenylpropanoid pathway (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab14\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e). In uninfested plants, PAL activity ranged from 238.01 to 548.64 \u0026micro;g t-cinnamic acid h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1; fresh tissue. The highest activity was recorded in salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (548.64 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (509.41 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (506.94 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;). Moderate activities were observed in SA at 0.5 mM (484.16 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.0 mM (443.19 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), while lower activities were recorded in JA at 0.5 mM (318.67 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), water-only (279.42 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), and untreated control (274.95 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), with the methanol solvent showing the lowest activity (238.01 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab14\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 14\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhenyl analine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity (\u0026micro;g t-cinnamic acid formed/ hour/g fresh weight) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePer cent increase/ decrease over uninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e484.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.12bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e752.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.39c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e509.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19.17ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e819.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.91b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e548.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.73a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e933.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.82a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e318.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.13d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e567.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.78d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e443.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;29.06c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e721.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;32.33c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e506.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;24.38ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e743.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;20.84c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e238.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.69e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e279.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.51e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e279.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17.3de\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e330.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;16.41e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e274.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;25.2de\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e326.84\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;26.38e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphid infestation enhanced PAL activity in all treatments, ranging from 279.21 to 933.27 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;. Maximum activity was observed in SA at 1.5 mM (933.27 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (819.21 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), SA at 0.5 mM (752.57 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), and JA at 1.5 mM (743.59 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;). Moderate activities were recorded in JA at 1.0 mM (721.59 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 0.5 mM (567.44 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), while water-only (330.51 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), untreated control (326.84 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), and methanol (279.21 \u0026micro;g h⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) showed the lowest activities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe percent increase in PAL activity after aphid infestation was highest in JA at 0.5 mM (43.84%), followed by SA at 1.5 mM (41.21%), JA at 1.0 mM (38.58%), and SA at 1.0 mM (37.82%). Smaller increases were observed in methanol (14.76%), water-only (15.46%), and untreated control (15.88%).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuperoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuperoxide dismutase (SOD), a key antioxidant enzyme involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species during insect attack, showed significant variation among treatments in both uninfested and aphid-infested mustard plants (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab15\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn uninfested plants, SOD activity ranged from 112.50 to 202.42 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1; fresh tissue. The highest activity was observed in salicylic acid (SA) at 1.5 mM (202.42 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (183.21 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 mM (170.77 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;). Moderate activities were recorded in SA at 0.5 mM (160.53 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.0 mM (152.10 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), while JA at 0.5 mM showed lower activity (139.67 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;). The lowest SOD activities were recorded in untreated control (112.50 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), water-only (113.90 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), and methanol (120.47 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab15\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 15\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuperoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (units/min/ g fresh weight of tissue) in uninfested and aphid infested plants following treatment with plant elicitors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSr. No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePer cent increase/ decrease over uninfested\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e160.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.58d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e222.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.78d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e183.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.94b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e270.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.00b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalicylic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e202.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.09a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e353.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.004a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 0.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e139.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e206.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.0 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e152.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.97e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e220.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.32d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJasmonic acid 1.5 mM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e170.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.58c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e257.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.38c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethanol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e120.47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e146.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.38f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater-only\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e113.90\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15h\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e131.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUntreated control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e112.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.64h\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e129.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.38g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCD (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAphid infestation enhanced SOD activity in all treatments, ranging from 129.00 to 353.57 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;. Maximum activity was recorded in SA at 1.5 mM (353.57 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), followed by SA at 1.0 mM (270.95 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.5 mM (257.63 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;). Moderate SOD activity was observed in SA at 0.5 mM (222.10 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;) and JA at 1.0 mM (220.77 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), while JA at 0.5 mM recorded 206.13 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;. The lowest activities were found in untreated control (129.00 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), water-only (131.07 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;), and methanol solvent (146.10 units min⁻\u0026sup1; g⁻\u0026sup1;).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe effect of plant elicitors on mustard biochemical constituents was closely associated with \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e population dynamics. Student\u0026rsquo;s t-test revealed that glucosinolates, total phenols, and defense-related enzymes including PAL, POX, PPO, and SOD were significantly correlated with aphid population (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.01), indicating that higher levels of these compounds contributed to reduced aphid infestation. In contrast, flavonols, free amino acids, and total sugars showed no significant association with aphid density (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), suggesting that variations in these metabolites did not strongly influence aphid population under the experimental conditions. These results highlight the crucial role of elicitor-induced secondary metabolites and enzymatic defenses in enhancing resistance of mustard plants against \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab16\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 16\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStudent\u0026rsquo;s t-test comparison of different biochemical constituents with aphid population\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiochemicals\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003et value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSignificance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlucosinolates\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlavonols\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree Amino Acids\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal Phenols\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePAL\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePOX\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePPO\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSOD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSugar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"4\"\u003e** Significant at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.01; * Significant at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFIELD STUDIES\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eField assessments clearly demonstrated that foliar application of plant elicitors, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), significantly suppressed \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e populations in mustard. Among the concentrations tested, SA @ 1.5 mM was consistently the most effective, recording the lowest aphid densities across both seasons, which aligns with the concept of elicitor-mediated priming of plant defense responses. The reduction in aphid population is likely due to activation of plant defense pathways, resulting in enhanced antibiosis and reduced host suitability for feeding and reproduction. These findings are consistent with Shahrokhy et al. (2024), who reported that foliar applications of SA combined with GABA or chitosan reduced \u003cem\u003eBrevicoryne brassicae\u003c/em\u003e densities on canola, accompanied by increased leaf glucosinolates and decreased sugar content, thereby reducing nutritional suitability. Similarly, Feng et al. (2021) observed that elicitor-treated wheat exhibited lower fecundity and intrinsic rates of increase of \u003cem\u003eSitobion avenae\u003c/em\u003e, indicating that elicitor-induced resistance affects both mortality and sub-lethal biological parameters. The efficacy of SA in aphid management has also been validated in other systems; Xu et al. (2024) reported that methyl salicylate sprays reduced populations of \u003cem\u003eRhopalosiphum padi\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eR. maidis\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eAphis gossypii\u003c/em\u003e over two consecutive years. In Brassica crops, JA-mediated defenses similarly play a key role. Koramutla et al. (2014) showed that methyl jasmonate (MeJA) application in \u003cem\u003eB. juncea\u003c/em\u003e activated jasmonate biosynthesis and defense-related genes (PAL, MYR, TPI), enhancing antibiosis and reducing aphid population growth, although SA treatments were comparatively more effective. Broad-spectrum efficacy of jasmonate-based elicitors has also been reported across crops; Bayram et al. (2018) observed suppression of cereal aphids on wheat with cis-jasmonate sprays, Tonğa et al. (2022) recorded effective control of multiple pests in cotton with MeJA, and Kumar (2023) demonstrated reduced cotton aphid populations on chili following JA application. Collectively, these studies corroborate the present results, confirming that foliar application of SA and JA effectively enhances host resistance and suppresses aphid populations in mustard through both biochemical and physiological plant defenses.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "},{"header":"BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the significant reduction in aphid populations observed under field conditions, foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) markedly influenced the biological parameters of \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e under laboratory conditions. Elicitor treatments induced antibiosis-mediated resistance in mustard, reflected in reduced nymphal survival, prolonged nymphal development, shortened adult longevity, and decreased fecundity. These alterations in life-history traits are crucial as they cumulatively constrain aphid population growth even in the absence of direct mortality. Among the elicitors tested, SA, particularly at 1.5 mM, exerted the strongest negative impact on aphid biology. The prolongation of the nymphal period not only exposes aphids to environmental stress for a longer duration but also reduces the number of generations completed within a cropping season.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese findings are consistent with previous studies. Javed et al. (2020) reported that SA significantly reduced fecundity of \u003cem\u003eBrevicoryne brassicae\u003c/em\u003e on canola, with fewer nymphs reaching adulthood, prolonged developmental duration, and reduced reproductive periods, paralleling the present observations in \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e similar to the study by Khoshfarman et al. (2020). Bergen (2008) reported that JA application delayed development and reduced reproduction in \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e. In the present study, JA treatments similarly prolonged nymphal development and reduced fecundity and adult longevity, although the effects were generally less pronounced than those of SA. Although the present study focused on aphids, elicitor-induced reductions in insect biological parameters have also been observed in chewing pests. Yadav (2022) reported that JA (2 mM) reduced larval weight and adult longevity in \u003cem\u003eHelicoverpa armigera\u003c/em\u003e on tomato, with males and females living only 3.4 and 4.0 days, respectively, after treatment. Overall, plant elicitors adversely affected multiple biological parameters of \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e, ultimately reducing its population growth potential.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES","content":"\u003cp\u003ePlants, being sessile organisms, cannot escape biotic and abiotic stresses and therefore rely on a complex arsenal of defense mechanisms to survive herbivore attack. Chemical defenses, representing a highly evolved and dynamic aspect of plant resistance, are shaped by a continuous co-evolutionary arms race with herbivores. The application of plant elicitors, such as salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), enhances these chemical defenses by modulating the concentration and activity of key biochemical constituents involved in resistance. Elicitor-induced resistance primarily operates through the regulation of glucosinolates, phenolic compounds, and oxidative defense enzymes, collectively reducing host suitability for insect pests (War et al., 2012).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong biochemical defenses, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzymes play a central role in plant stress responses. Enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) are crucial components of this oxidative defense system. SOD detoxifies superoxide radicals generated during stress, whereas PAL serves as a key entry-point enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway, leading to the synthesis of phenols, lignin, and other defense-related metabolites (War et al., 2012). Additionally, enzymes like peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) catalyze the oxidation of phenolic compounds into quinones, which are toxic or deterrent to herbivores and can reduce the digestibility of plant tissues (Kaur et al., 2017).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGlucosinolates and Total Phenols\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlucosinolates and phenolic compounds constitute two major biochemical defense systems in Brassica crops and play a pivotal role in host plant resistance against aphids. In the present study, both glucosinolates and total phenols showed a positive trend following aphid infestation, indicating activation of inducible chemical defenses in mustard plants. Such herbivore-induced accumulation of secondary metabolites reduces host suitability and limits insect population growth.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGSLs are sulphur-containing, nitrogen-rich secondary metabolites predominantly found in the family Brassicaceae and are commonly referred to as mustard oil glucosides (Horbowicz, 2003; Nintemann et al., 2017). Upon herbivore attack, GSLs are hydrolyzed by myrosinase to produce biologically active compounds such as isothiocyanates, nitriles, epithionitriles, and thiocyanates, a defense mechanism commonly referred to as the \u0026ldquo;mustard oil bomb\u0026rdquo; (Angelino et al., 2015). This system is spatially compartmentalized in Brassica plants, with glucosinolates stored in vacuoles and myrosinase localized in specialized myrosin cells, thereby preventing autotoxicity under normal conditions (Jones and Vogt, 2001; Kissen et al., 2009).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlthough specialist insects such as the mustard aphid (\u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e) have evolved feeding strategies that limit contact between GSLs and myrosinase by feeding intercellularly with stylets (Tjallingii and Hogen, 1993), variations in glucosinolate concentration and composition still significantly influence aphid infestation (Dilawari and Atwal, 1987). Herbivore attack has been reported to amplify glucosinolate concentrations by up to 20-fold in many Brassica species (Textor and Gershenzon, 2009), with indole glucosinolates being particularly responsive to insect feeding (Chhajed et al., 2020). In \u003cem\u003eBrassica rapa\u003c/em\u003e ssp. \u003cem\u003eRapa\u003c/em\u003e salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments induced approximately two- and four-fold increases in glucosinolate content, respectively, by the 10th day after treatment (Schreiner et al., 2011). The elevated glucosinolate levels observed under aphid infestation and elicitor application in the present study therefore provide a strong biochemical basis for reduced aphid performance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhenolic compounds are another major class of plant secondary metabolites synthesized primarily through the shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways, widely implicated in plant defense against insect pests (Jahangir et al., 2009). These compounds possess strong antioxidant properties and contribute to biochemical deterrence of herbivores (Kahl et al., 2000). The biosynthesis of phenolic compounds is closely linked to the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), a key regulatory enzyme of the phenylpropanoid pathway (Cartea et al., 2011).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIncreased phenolic accumulation has been widely reported in response to aphid infestation (Ciepiela, 1989). Wheat plants showed enhanced phenolic content following aphid attack (Havl\u0026iacute;čkov\u0026aacute; et al., 1998; Kaur et al., 2017), and similar trends have been reported in Brassica crops infested by \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e (Jat et al., 2007; Kumar and Singh, 2012; Leszczyński, 2017). In cabbage (\u003cem\u003eBrassica oleracea\u003c/em\u003e), herbivory stress increased total phenolic content from 86.14 to 98.87 \u0026micro;g mg⁻\u0026sup1; (Sharma and Rao, 2013), while Xu et al. (2021) also documented significant upregulation of phenolic compounds under aphid-induced stress.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExogenous application of elicitors further enhances phenolic accumulation by activating defense-related signaling pathways. Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) treatments significantly increased total phenols and antioxidant enzyme activities in \u003cem\u003eGivotia moluccana\u003c/em\u003e, with 150 \u0026micro;M JA applied for 20 days resulting in the highest phenolic accumulation (81.83 mg GAE g⁻\u0026sup1; DW) (Woch et al., 2023). The increased phenolic content observed in aphid-infested and elicitor-treated mustard plants in the present study can therefore be attributed to enhanced PAL-mediated phenylpropanoid metabolism.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverall, the positive trend observed for both glucosinolates and total phenols under aphid infestation reflects a coordinated and robust defense response in mustard plants. The simultaneous induction of these secondary metabolites likely acts synergistically to reduce host plant suitability, impair aphid feeding and reproduction, and ultimately suppress aphid population buildup.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFlavonols, Free Amino Acids, and Total Sugars\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlavonols, free amino acids, and total sugars are key biochemical constituents that strongly influence host plant suitability for aphids by regulating both nutritional quality and defensive capacity. In the present study, aphid infestation and elicitor application resulted in a marked decline in free amino acids, flavonol and total sugars accumulation, indicating a coordinated metabolic shift from primary metabolism toward defensive secondary metabolite production.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlavonol accumulation is regulated by elicitor-mediated defense signaling, particularly pathways governed by salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). However, the influence of these elicitors on flavonoid biosynthesis is highly context-dependent and varies with plant species, tissue type, and experimental conditions. In Satsuma mandarin, exogenous application of SA and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) resulted in contrasting effects on secondary metabolite production in in vitro-cultured juice sacs. While SA stimulated flavonoid biosynthesis, MeJA markedly inhibited the accumulation of both flavonoids and carotenoids. This differential response was linked to transcriptional regulation of the CitWRKY70 gene, which was upregulated by SA but suppressed by MeJA (Yamamoto et al., 2020). These findings highlight that SA- and JA-mediated signaling pathways can function either antagonistically or synergistically, depending on the physiological and metabolic context.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree amino acids are a major component of phloem sap and play a decisive role in aphid host selection, feeding behavior, fecundity, and population growth (Corcuera, 1993). A positive relationship between amino acid concentration and aphid fecundity has been demonstrated in wheat, where elevated amino acid levels enhanced the reproductive output of Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi (Awmack and Leather, 2002). However, aphid\u0026ndash;plant interactions are often species-specific, and several studies in Brassica crops have reported a reduction in free amino acids following aphid infestation, resulting in decreased host suitability and impaired aphid performance (Khattab, 2007; Jat et al., 2007). Resistant cultivars with lower amino acid availability have consistently supported reduced aphid populations (Weibull and Melin, 1990). In the present study, SA and JA application significantly reduced free amino acid content, particularly at higher concentrations, which likely contributed to decreased fecundity, delayed development, and reduced longevity of Lipaphis erysimi, in agreement with previous findings on elicitor-induced nutritional deprivation in insect pests (War and Sharma, 2014; Cui et al., 2012).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSimilarly, total sugars play a critical role in determining host susceptibility to aphids. Elevated sugar concentrations enhance the nutritive quality of plants and favor aphid establishment and population buildup (Zhang and Liu, 2011). Studies in cereal and Brassica crops have demonstrated that genotypes with higher sugar and amino acid content support larger aphid populations, whereas resistant genotypes exhibit reduced levels of these primary metabolites (Batra et al., 2018). Defense signaling pathways mediated by jasmonates can reprogram carbohydrate metabolism, reducing glucose and fructose concentrations and thereby lowering host suitability for herbivores (Machado et al., 2015). In the present investigation, SA- and JA-treated mustard plants exhibited significantly reduced total sugar content, which likely restricted carbohydrate availability in the phloem sap and contributed to suppressed aphid population growth.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAntioxidant and defense-related enzymes in elicitor-mediated resistance\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile ROS are essential for initiating downstream defense responses, their uncontrolled accumulation can cause oxidative damage to membranes, proteins, chloroplasts, and nucleic acids (Noctor and Foyer, 1998). Consequently, plants rely on a coordinated antioxidative defense system in which superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) act synergistically to balance ROS detoxification with defense signaling.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuperoxide dismutase (SOD) serves as the first line of defense by catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide radicals into molecular oxygen and H₂O₂, which is subsequently scavenged by catalase and peroxidases (Del R\u0026iacute;o et al., 2002). Elevated SOD activity has consistently been associated with aphid resistance across multiple crop systems. Resistant barley, wheat, alfalfa, chrysanthemum, groundnut, pea, and rose cultivars exhibit rapid and enhanced SOD activity following aphid infestation, indicating a more efficient oxidative burst and defense signaling capacity (Ni and Quisenberry, 2003; Moloi and van der Westhuizen, 2006, 2008; Liu and Lan, 2009; He et al., 2011; War et al., 2013; Mai et al., 2013; Muneer et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2020). Importantly, Kaur et al. (2017) demonstrated a coordinated induction of SOD with PAL and PPO, highlighting the integration between oxidative stress management and phenolic defense pathways.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeroxidase (POD) plays a complementary role by detoxifying H₂O₂ and other ROS through substrate oxidation, thereby preventing oxidative injury while simultaneously reinforcing structural defenses (Yoshida et al., 2003; Chen et al., 2009). Significant induction of POD following aphid attack or elicitor application has been documented in soybean, cotton, Brassica, sorghum, faba bean, and alfalfa, with resistant genotypes consistently showing greater enzyme activity than susceptible ones (Ni et al., 2001; Zhang et al., 2005; Park et al., 2006; Wei et al., 2007; Soffan et al., 2014; Singh et al., 2022). Elicitors such as salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, silicon, and other chemical inducers further amplify POD activity across crops (Gomes et al., 2005; Jaiti et al., 2009; Lin et al., 2008; Ghazanfar et al., 2020).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePolyphenol oxidase (PPO) contributes to defense by catalyzing the oxidation of o-diphenols into quinones, which are highly reactive and anti-nutritional to herbivores. PPO-mediated resistance operates through alkylation of amino acids, redox cycling\u0026ndash;induced oxidative stress in the insect gut, and ROS generation that impairs digestion and nutrient assimilation (Felton et al., 1992; Constabel and Barbehenn, 2008; Ranger et al., 2009). Enhanced PPO activity has been repeatedly associated with insect resistance, including increased PPO levels in buffalograss infested by Blissus occidus (Heng-Moss et al., 2004), tea plants attacked by Helopeltis theivora (Chakraborty and Chakraborty, 2005), and resistant hybrid poplar following aphid feeding (Ramirez et al., 2009). Resistant chrysanthemum and wheat cultivars also exhibited significantly higher PPO activity in response to aphid infestation compared to susceptible counterparts (He et al., 2011; Xu et al., 2021).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) acts as a central regulatory enzyme linking oxidative defenses to secondary metabolism. By catalyzing the conversion of L-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid, PAL initiates the phenylpropanoid pathway, leading to the synthesis of phenolic acids, flavonoids, phytoalexins, and lignin, all of which contribute to resistance against herbivores (Gerasimova et al., 2005; Pant and Huang, 2022). PAL also plays a role in salicylic acid biosynthesis, thereby reinforcing SA-mediated defense signaling (Pallas et al., 1996; Rivas and Plasencia, 2011). Rapid induction of PAL activity has been reported during early stages of insect infestation, often preceding changes in metabolite accumulation, as observed in orchids, wheat, lettuce, barley, Arabidopsis, Brassica, pea, and cotton (Cole, 1984; Ciepiela, 1989; Havl\u0026iacute;čkov\u0026aacute; et al., 1996; Moran and Thompson, 2001; Zhang et al., 2005; Mai et al., 2014; Lv et al., 2017; Golan et al., 2017; Batra et al., 2018). Silicon- and SA-mediated resistance in rice and wheat further demonstrated coordinated induction of PAL along with SOD, POD, and PPO under aphid or planthopper attack (Lin et al., 2022; Xu et al., 2021).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the present study, foliar application of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid significantly enhanced the activities of SOD, POD, PPO, and PAL in mustard plants. The simultaneous upregulation of these enzymes indicates a tightly coordinated defense network integrating oxidative stress regulation, phenolic metabolism, and anti-nutritional mechanisms. Thus, the combined activation of antioxidative and phenylpropanoid enzymes provides a strong biochemical basis for elicitor-mediated resistance in mustard.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUTHOR\u0026rsquo;S CONTRIBUTION\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConceptualization and designing of the research work (SK); Execution of field/lab experiments and data collection (HST, SS; Analysis of data and interpretation (HST); Preparation of manuscript (HST, SK).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors acknowledge the financial support and research facilities provided by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, for conducting this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eData Availability Statement The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study, including measurementsof physiological, biochemical, and enzymatic parameters of Brassica juncea under stressconditions, are not publicly available due to institutional policies and ongoingresearchconsiderations but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Harvinder Singh Tiwana [email protected] Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141001\u003c/p\u003e\n"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAgarwal D K, Billore S D, Sharma A N, Dupare B U and Srivastava S K 2013 Soybean: introduction, improvement and utilization in India\u0026mdash;problems and prospects. \u003cem\u003eAgri Res \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c/strong\u003e: 293-300.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBhattacharyya P K, Ram H H and Kole P C 1999 Inheritance of resistance to yellow mosaic virus in interspecific crosses of soybean. \u003cem\u003eEuphytica \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e108\u003c/strong\u003e: 157-59.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFAO 2023 Statistical database. Available: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGupta S K and Manjaya J G 2022 Advances in improvement of soybean seed composition traits using genetic, genomic and biotechnological approaches. \u003cem\u003eEuphytica \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e218\u003c/strong\u003e: 99.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKhosla G, Gill B S, Sirari A, Sharma P and Singh S 2021 Inheritance and molecular mapping of resistance against mungbean yellow mosaic India virus in soybean (\u003cem\u003eGlycine max\u003c/em\u003e). \u003cem\u003ePlant Breed \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e140\u003c/strong\u003e: 860-69.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKumawat G, Singh G, Gireesh C, Shivakumar M, Arya M, Agarwal D K and Husain S M 2015 Molecular characterization and genetic diversity analysis of soybean (\u003cem\u003eGlycine max\u003c/em\u003e L. Merr.) germplasm accessions in India. \u003cem\u003ePhysiol Mol Biol Plants\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e21\u003c/strong\u003e: 101-07.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaranna S, Kumawat G, Nataraj V, Gill B S, Nargund R, Sharma A and Gupta S 2023. Development of improved genotypes for extra early maturity, higher yield and Mungbean Yellow Mosaic India Virus (MYMIV) resistance in soybean (\u003cem\u003eGlycine max\u003c/em\u003e). \u003cem\u003eCrop Pasture Sci\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e74\u003c/strong\u003e: 1165-79.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNichal S S, Zope A V, Gawande P P, Ratnaparkhi R D and Nandanwar R S 2018 Genetics of yellow mosaic virus (YMV) disease in soybean [\u003cem\u003eGlycine max\u003c/em\u003e (L.) Merr.]. \u003cem\u003eInter J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e6\u003c/strong\u003e: 2496-99.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRani A, Kumar V, Gill B S, Rathi P, Shukla S and Singh R K 2017 Linkage mapping of Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) resistance gene in soybean. \u003cem\u003eBreed Sci\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e67:\u003c/strong\u003e 95-100.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRani A, Kumar V, Gill B S, Shukla S, Rathi P and Singh R K 2018 Mapping of duplicate dominant genes for Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus resistance in \u003cem\u003eGlycine soja\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eCrop Sci\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e58\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e: 1566-74.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingh B B and Malick A S 1978 Inheritance of resistance to yellow mosaic in soybean. \u003cem\u003eIndian J Genet Plant Breed \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e38\u003c/strong\u003e: 258\u0026ndash;61.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingh B B, Gupta S C and Singh B D 1974a Sources of field resistance to rust and yellow mosaic diseases of soybean. \u003cem\u003eIndian J Genet \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e34\u003c/strong\u003e: 400-04. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingh B B, Singh B D and Gupta S C 1974b PI171443 and \u003cem\u003eGlycine formosana\u003c/em\u003e resistant lines for yellow mosaic of soybean. \u003cem\u003eSoybean Genet Newsl \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1\u003c/strong\u003e: 17-18.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTalukdar A, Harish G D, Shivakumar M, Kumar B, Verma K, Lal S K, Sapra R L and Singh K P 2013 Genetics of yellow mosaic virus (YMV) resistance in cultivated soybean [\u003cem\u003eGlycine max\u003c/em\u003e (L.) Merr.]. \u003cem\u003eLegume Res \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e36\u003c/strong\u003e: 263-67.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsharani K S, Haq M R and Malathi V G 2004 Yellow mosaic disease infecting soybean in northern India is distinct from the species infecting soybean in southern India. \u003cem\u003eCurr Sci \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e86\u003c/strong\u003e: 845-50.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVarma A, Dhar A K and MandaI B 1992 MYMV transmission and its control in India. In: Mungbean yellow mosaic disease. \u003cem\u003eProc of an International Workshop\u003c/em\u003e. Bangkok, Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan, pp. 54-58.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Jasmonic acid, Salicylic acid, Induced Resistance, Plant defense","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9256770/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9256770/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eAphids constitute one of the major biotic constraints limiting the productivity of rapeseed\u0026ndash;mustard, with the mustard aphid \u003cem\u003eLipaphis erysimi\u003c/em\u003e (Kaltenbach) causing substantial yield losses. Although chemical insecticides are commonly employed for aphid management, their indiscriminate use poses ecological and resistance-related concerns, necessitating sustainable alternatives. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of plant defense elicitors, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), in inducing resistance in mustard (\u003cem\u003eBrassica juncea\u003c/em\u003e L.) against \u003cem\u003eL. erysimi\u003c/em\u003e under field conditions. Foliar applications of SA and JA were assessed for their impact on aphid population dynamics, biochemical defense responses, and yield attributes over two consecutive cropping seasons. Both elicitors significantly reduced aphid populations compared to untreated and solvent controls, with maximum suppression recorded at 7 and 10 days after spraying. Enhanced levels of defense-related biochemical constituents in elicitor-treated plants indicated activation of induced resistance mechanisms. In addition to effective aphid suppression, SA and JA treatments resulted in improved plant growth and yield parameters. The findings suggest that exogenous application of SA and JA can effectively enhance resistance in mustard against aphid infestation while promoting crop performance. Therefore, plant defense elicitors represent a promising eco-friendly approach for integration into sustainable pest management strategies in rapeseed\u0026ndash;mustard cultivation.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Effect of Selected Plant Elicitors on Induced Resistance in Mustard Against Lipaphis Erysimi (Kaltenbach)","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-05-13 07:59:48","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9256770/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-13T14:32:33+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-11T07:12:51+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"36824237610111442630643767614938909095","date":"2026-05-11T00:36:04+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"310343409917471461987341648861259386325","date":"2026-05-09T14:40:42+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"322766689510019414567920550604442728540","date":"2026-05-06T08:06:24+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"81071790005472411384519436012671298572","date":"2026-05-05T14:29:43+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-05-05T14:22:42+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-04-27T17:30:40+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-04-27T16:43:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-04-13T09:10:49+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2026-04-13T06:13:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"d1976c1a-0bff-42df-9426-5be89c36b434","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 13th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-13T14:32:33+00:00","index":43,"fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-11T07:12:51+00:00","index":42,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"36824237610111442630643767614938909095","date":"2026-05-11T00:36:04+00:00","index":41,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"310343409917471461987341648861259386325","date":"2026-05-09T14:40:42+00:00","index":40,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"322766689510019414567920550604442728540","date":"2026-05-06T08:06:24+00:00","index":36,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"81071790005472411384519436012671298572","date":"2026-05-05T14:29:43+00:00","index":35,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"13","date":"2026-05-05T14:22:42+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[{"id":68068563,"name":"Biological sciences/Ecology"},{"id":68068564,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology"},{"id":68068565,"name":"Biological sciences/Plant sciences"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-13T07:59:48+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-05-13 07:59:48","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9256770","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9256770","identity":"rs-9256770","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}