Abstract: To confirm the function of jasmonates（Jas）in induction of sesquiterpenes，three-year-old Aquilaria sinensis（Lour.）Gilg saplings were used as materials in treatments of mechanical injury and exogenous MeJA. The contents of endogenous JAs and sesquiterpenes were detected by GC–MS，separately. The results showed that after 1 h wound treatment endogenous JAs content increased significantly，then decreased rapidly；after 24 h the contents of JAs have a slight elevation. Endogenous JAs content increased rapidly and reached a maximum at 1h，and then decreased rapidly. A second slight increase in JAs level was observed at 24 h after wound treatment. Wound induced the production of three sesquiterpenes（δ-guaiene，α-guaiene and α-humulene），and the contents increased with the time prolonged. Similarly，exogenous MeJA application also induced the production of three same sesquiterpenes，while the inducement intensity of MeJA was better than wound. It is thus suggested that JAs burst in the early-stage and sesquiterpenes biosynthesis in late-stage response to wound may constitute an important mechanism by which plant starts the related defense reaction and adapts to wound stress.

Key words: Aquilaria sinensis, jasmonates, sesquiterpenes, mechanical wound