Glossary

Abiotic / Biotic Stress

Numerous stress factors can have a negative impact on the growth and health of plants. These include, for example, insects, fungal diseases, weeds, bacteria or viruses – these are known as “biotic” factors.

The "abiotic" stressors – that is, stressors that involve no living beings – include drought, heat, cold or soil salinization. They are responsible for the sometimes dramatic yield losses in many regions of the world. Some plant protection products such as insecticides or fungicides have, in addition to their actual effect, a positive side effect on the stress tolerance of plants. In contrast to breeding, which aims for permanent drought tolerance, for example, a temporary protective effect against abiotic stress can be achieved with plant protection.