Methyl salicylate (MeSA) is a signal molecule in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress, and elicits plant resistance against chilling injury. An experiment was conducted to determine whether methyl salicylate (MeSA) applied at 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 mM as a seed soak or foliar application would protect cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings subjected to chilling at 3°C for 5 days. The MeSA improved growth rate of cucumber seedlings, increased relative leaf chlorophyll and relative water contents by inhibiting malonedealdehyde and HR2ROR2R accumulation and increasing proline and antioxidant capacity. The MeSA was most effective when applied using the seed soak method at 0.5 and 0.75 mM.
