Chitin oligosaccharides elicited chitinase activity in melon plants. Hexamer to nonamer were the most efficient elicitors: hexamer for maximal stimulation of colorimetrically assessed chitinase activity, heptamer for maximal stimulation of radiochemically assessed chitinase activity. Chitinase elicitation was a rapid response to these elicitors: it occurred within 6 hours after treatment and was maximal at 12-24 hours. In addition, chitinase induction in melon plants by these oligosaccharides was both local and systemic.