Scheme 1.

Schematic research methodology. Three preharvest applications of 250 μmol·L⁻¹ methyl jasmonate (MeJA), 1.5% (w/v) chitosan or water (control) were performed during flowering, fruit development, and ripening of Fragaria chiloensis. Eighteen days later, ripe fruit were harvested and subjected to inoculation with (+Bc) or without (–Bc) Botrytis cinerea spores. Fruit were stored at room temperature and the incidence of gray mold and the transcriptional profiles of defense genes were analyzed at 0, 2, 24, 48, and 72 h post inoculation (hpi). For experimental details, see the Materials and Methods Section.