Salicylic Acid in Tea Plants: from Biosynthesis and Metabolism to Defense Responses Against Pests and Diseases

SUN Chenqi; HU Kunzhu; BIAN Lei; LUO Zongxiu; LI Zhaoqun; XIU Chunli; FU Nanxia; CHEN Zongmao; GAO Yu; CAI Xiaoming

doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2026.04.010

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Journal of Tea Science ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (4) : 600-608. DOI: 10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2026.04.010

Review

Salicylic Acid in Tea Plants: from Biosynthesis and Metabolism to Defense Responses Against Pests and Diseases

SUN Chenqi^1,2, HU Kunzhu², BIAN Lei², LUO Zongxiu², LI Zhaoqun², XIU Chunli², FU Nanxia², CHEN Zongmao², GAO Yu^1,*, CAI Xiaoming^2,*

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Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound in plants, functions as a key component in signaling pathways that activate and precisely modulate the defense response against pests and diseases. In plants, SA is predominantly synthesized through the isochorismate synthase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase pathways. SA can undergo diverse modifications in plants, such as hydroxylation, glycosylation and methylation, which contribute to SA storage and signal transduction. Activation of the SA signaling pathway significantly reprograms secondary metabolism of plants, consequently enhancing plant resistance. Tea plants (Camellia sinensis) exhibit relatively high endogenous SA content in leaves, with values ranging from 6.9 to 41.4 μg·g^-1. This review summarized the latest research progress on tea plants, specifically focusing on the biosynthesis of SA, SA derivatives, and SA-mediated resistance. The issues in the existing research and the focuses of future research were also discussed. This review provided a reference for the in-depth exploration of the role and mechanism of SA in regulating the disease and pest resistance of tea plants and the development of novel green control technologies.

Key words

salicylic acid / tea plant / biosynthesis / derivatives / defense responses against pests and diseases

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SUN Chenqi, HU Kunzhu, BIAN Lei, LUO Zongxiu, LI Zhaoqun, XIU Chunli, FU Nanxia, CHEN Zongmao, GAO Yu, CAI Xiaoming. Salicylic Acid in Tea Plants: from Biosynthesis and Metabolism to Defense Responses Against Pests and Diseases[J]. Journal of Tea Science. 2026, 46(4): 600-608 https://doi.org/10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2026.04.010

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