<p>Insect pests adopt a number of mechanisms for their survival, which usually includes adjustments in plant nutrient acquisition and production of defense compounds. Cabbage aphid (<i>Brevicoryne brassicae</i> L.) is a notorious pest of canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.), which causes heavy yield loss (40–65%) in Asia, Europe, and America. The current study is the first of its nature which explored the role of different defense elicitors (Salicylic acid: SA and Citric acid: CA) treatments in modulating nutrient acquisition and defense chemical production in canola under aphid herbivory.&#xa0;The study objectives were accomplished by applying 0, 0.5, and 1 mM of SA and CA on canola, and their efficacies regarding designed parameters were compared with infested, non–infested, and the insecticide (carbosulfan) treated plants.&#xa0;The results showed that 0.5 and 1 mM of SA and CA reduced aphid reproduction and improved shoot length, fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots, and oil yield in canola. The insecticide reduced aphid population but it did not improve plant growth over inducer treatments. Levels of key nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and several micronutrients such as iron, copper, and zinc were improved in treated leaves, shoots, and seeds. The highest nutrient contents were recorded in plants treated with 1 mM SA and CA, suggesting their positive influence on plant metabolism under aphid infestation. Additionally, both inducers stimulated the accumulation of phenolic compounds in leaves, shoots, and seeds, thus improving plant defense and resistance against aphids over the insecticide.&#xa0;These results indicated that SA and CA played crucial roles in improving plant ability to acquire and transport nutrients until seeds, and ultimately enhance plant defense and growth responses under aphid infestation. Integration of these defense inducers could provide eco–friendly options for aphid management and improved crop production.</p>