Dimitrije Markovic

Researcher in Agricultural Entomolgoy at Department of Ecology. My research explores how plants communicate and respond to their neighbors through subtle environmental cues, particularly mechanical touch and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and how these interactions influence plant growth, defense mechanisms, and broader ecological outcomes.

I investigate how touch and cultivar-specific volatile signals rapidly trigger defense pathways and coordinate responses among neighboring plants. These synchronized responses have cascading effects: they alter aphid behavior, attract natural enemies, and enhance overall plant resilience against stress and pests. By integrating molecular biology, chemical ecology, and field-based ecological studies, my work bridges fundamental plant science with practical agricultural applications.