Disease resistance

What is disease resistance?

Disease resistance refers to the ability of a plant or animal to limit or withstand the negative impacts of a pathogen or other disease-causing organism. There are several types of disease resistance, including:

• Horizontal resistance - provides resistance to multiple strains or races of a pathogen. This type of resistance is generally governed by multiple genes and is long-lasting.


• Vertical resistance - protects the plant from specific strains of a pathogen. This resistance often involves gene-for-gene interactions and can be overcome by new pathogenic races, so it may not be durable.


• Induced systemic resistance - activated defense mechanisms in plant tissues that have not yet been infected by a pathogen, providing widespread resistance in the plant.

Plants have evolved several complex physiological and biochemical defense mechanisms against pathogens. These can include:

• Structural barriers like thick cell walls, cuticles, bark and cork that physically block pathogen entry


• Antimicrobial compounds that directly inhibit or kill invaders


• Hypersensitive response that induces programmed cell death around infection sites to limit pathogen spread

Breeding robust, disease-resistant crop varieties is a major goal for plant breeders and agricultural companies. This helps reduce crop losses to disease and lowers growers' needs for chemical pesticides and fungicides, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

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Animals also have innate and adaptive immune defenses that provide disease resistance, including:

• Skin and mucous membranes act as first-line physical and chemical barriers


• Inflammation helps eliminate invaders and infected cells


• Antimicrobial proteins directly attack foreign pathogens


• B and T lymphocytes mount specific responses, developing memory to pathogens

Selective breeding of livestock focuses on enhancing genetic resistance to major diseases. Resistant animals better withstand infections without slow growth or other adverse impacts.

Disease resistance allows both plants and animals to thrive despite exposure to potentially harmful pathogens in their environment. Robust, integrated defense systems provide protection against infection and underpin productivity. Supporting these natural resistance mechanisms through breeding and management is crucial for sustainable food production.