Research in PB MICRO aims to improve the understanding of interactions between plants, microbes and the environment for better sustainable cropping systems in horticulture.

Plants are colonised with a variety of microorganisms and interact with microorganisms in their environment. These plant-associated microorganisms are of great importance for various functions of the plant. Microorganisms therefore have enormous potential to support low-input, high-output sustainable farming systems (UN Sustainable Development Goal SDG 12) by improving plant health and productivity (SDGs 2 and 3). However, this potential is still largely untapped. Therefore, PB MICRO is particularly interested in understanding the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses on the plant and its associated microbiota (holobiont) in particular, in interaction with changing environmental conditions.