Method for inducing resistance in plants using environmentally safe antioxidants

摘要

The present invention describes a method for increasing the resistance of plants to pests or pathogens by administering to the surface of the plant environmentally safe antioxidants such as ascorbates, tocopherols, reduced glutathione and its derivatives, and cysteines (half cystines). The administration to a portion of the surface of the plant of an effective amount of such environmentally safe antioxidants induces in the plant a protective response which is systemic in nature. Application may be made by a variety of ways including drenching the root system of the plant, spraying the plant with a solution containing an effective amount of antioxidant, or direct application to the stem of the plant with the antioxidant contained in a suitable carrier.