Jan 24, 2011

Glossary

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Biotic stress factors

Stress factors caused or influenced by living things (from the Greek bios = life)

Plants are exposed to a range of different environmental factors, depending on their location. An environmental factor that leads to stress in a plant is called a stress factor. Plants are said to be stressed if their growth or reproductive ability is affected. This leads to yield losses and reduced quality.

Biotic stress factors include all influences from the living environment, including infestation by phytopathogens (viruses and fungi), parasites and symbionts. When it comes to pollination and pollen dispersal, animals can also act as biotic stress factors. Most stress factors do not occur in isolation, but in combination with others.