The methanol,which is one of the simplest organic C₁ compounds produced during the plant growth,development and metabolisms,is related to many plant physiological processes (such as photosynthesis,biological synthesis of C₁-tetrahydrofolate and some phytohormones,and stress tolerance).In this paper,the pathways for methanol production and emission,metabolisms,and the role of exogenous applying methanol on plants and its physiological mechanisms are summarized according to the existing references,and on that basis,the present occurred problems and future research focus are also discussed.