Disease resistance refers to the ability of a plant to limit or withstand the effects of a pathogen or insect that would otherwise cause disease. There are several types of disease resistance in plants:
Plants have physical barriers and immune systems to help prevent infections. Physical barriers like waxy cuticles, cell walls and bark make it difficult for pathogens to penetrate plant tissues. If pathogens do enter the plant, immune receptors recognize pathogens and trigger defense responses like producing antimicrobial compounds.
Breeders often breed for increased disease resistance by crossing a susceptible plant with one that has resistance genes. There are also natural biopesticides called plant strengtheners that induce a plant's own immune system and don’t leave toxic chemical residues.
While conventional chemical pesticides attempt to directly kill pathogens, there’s concern that their overuse breeds resistant pathogens. Treating plants instead with natural plant strengtheners that turn on native plant immune responses could provide more sustainable crop protection.
For example, Vitality Hormone Center® Plant Clinic provides plant strengtheners based on natural plant hormones that turn on plants' native abilities to resist pests and diseases. Their products not only reduce reliance on conventional pesticides but can also increase crop quality and yields.
Some key questions on disease resistance:
What types of natural disease resistance exist in plants?
As mentioned, there is horizontal resistance (effective against multiple pathogen strains), vertical resistance (effective against specific pathogen strains), and induced resistance activated by the plant's immune system.
How do plants fight diseases on their own?
Plants have physical barriers against infection as well as immune receptors that recognize pathogens and trigger antimicrobial compound production and other defense responses.
What alternatives exist to conventional pesticides?
Natural plant strengtheners based on plant hormones are one alternative that induces plants' native immune abilities to resist pests and diseases without leaving toxic residues.