Plants not only provide food and natural materials for hu-mankind, but also constitute an indispensable part of the ecological system of this planet: without plants, life as we know it would simply not be possible. Through their lifespans, plants interact with a plethora of other organisms, including beneficial microbes and potential pathogens. Dissecting the underlying mechanisms determining the outcome of plant biotic interactions is a cornerstone for the design of rational management strategies to secure global food production and ecological balance.