Role of 12-oxo-phytodienoic Acid (OPDA) in Defense Mechanism of Mnium cuspidatum

Plants have developed different responses in order to combat infection against pathogens. The systemic acquired resistance (SAR) response signals plant wide for the production of compounds within the plant that are specifically used to destroy pathogens or lessen their effects. One of these compounds, OPDA (precursor of jasmonic acid), was used to determine if its pre-application on the moss, M. cuspidatum, could induce a response that would prevent or lessen infection from the pathogenic fungi, P. irregulare. First, OPDA was used to determine if pre-exposure could induce resistance. Then, the moss was treated with OPDA to determine if the response signal could be transmitted in both directions (up and down) a plant stem