Research in the Programme Area "Biotic Interactions" (BIOTIC) aims to better understand natural plant defence strategies under consideration against biotic and abiotic stressors under consideration of environmental influences. The research results support the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation systems in horticulture with low input and high output (UN Sustainable Development Goals SDG 2, SDG 3 and SDG 12).

Biotic stressors, such as microbial pathogens and herbivorous insects are a major cause of yield losses in plant production systems. The use of pesticides to combat these pathogens and herbivores threatens biodiversity far beyond the agroecosystems in which they are applied, and harm the health of producers and consumers. Plants have evolved various strategies to defend themselves against biotic stress factors. We focus on identifying the underlying chemical and molecular mechanisms of plant defence strategies and on the role of with the plant associated microorganisms as important elements of plant health and productivity. A better understanding of the mechanisms of underlying natural resistance to pathogens and herbivores is required to reduce pesticide use in sustainable plant production systems.