Disease resistance refers to the ability of a plant to restrict, slow down, or overcome the effects of a plant pathogen. There are many types of disease resistance in plants, both natural and genetically engineered.
Plants have innate, natural resistance against some pathogens. This means that all plants of a particular species have the ability to resist certain diseases to some degree. Plants also can develop new resistance in response to infection, which is called acquired resistance. Once a plant survives initial infection by a pathogen, it gains resistance against further infection. This protects the plant from recurring infection.
There are also types of genetic, heritable resistance that plant breeders intentionally develop. By crossing plants with desired traits, breeders combine resistance genes in new plant varieties. There are major gene resistances that tend to provide strong resistance against specific pathogen strains. There also are quantitative resistances controlled by several genes, each contributing partial resistance.
Some key benefits of disease resistance in plants:
- Prevents crop losses and protects yields
- Reduces need for chemical pesticides
- Lowers production costs for farmers
- Contributes to food security
Developing disease resistant crop varieties is crucial for
sustainable agriculture. With a growing world population, we need high-yielding and nutritious crops. Protecting plants from the hundreds of fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes that attack them is vital.
Climate change is also enabling wider spread of pathogens and introduction of new invasive species.
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Now back to
plant disease resistance...
There are some risks with heavy reliance on genetic resistance in crops:
- Pathogens can adapt and overcome major gene resistance
- New pathogen strains can render resistance genes ineffective
- Can lead to genetic vulnerability if other genes lost
Therefore, an integrated approach is best. Combining genetic resistance with other measures like crop rotation, sanitation practices, biological controls, and moderate pesticide use enables more durable disease control.
I hope this gives a helpful high-level overview of what disease resistance entails in plant agriculture! Let me know if you have any other questions.