Searching for novel biological control agents: Using Arabidopsis thaliana induced systemic resistance to boost its immune system

In view of a growing world population in the upcoming decades, and to prevent food scarcity, most attention for future agriculture is focussed on raising the yield per area and decreasing yield losses. Actual crop losses due to diseases or pests are globally estimated to range from 17-30%. Therefor, further increasing the efficacy of plant disease control is important to contribute to the globally increasing food demand. This doctorate will focus on the identification of new Biological control agents (BCAs) which induce the Systemic Induced Resistance. Mostly, Arabidopsis thaliana will be used as a model organism.