PAID ACCESS | Published on : 27-Feb-2026 | Pages: 36-56 | Doi : 10.37446/volbook062024/36-56
The success of modern agriculture relies on crops that can withstand plant diseases. Advances in molecular biology have enabled the characterization of plant disease-resistance genes, improving understanding of plant–pathogen interactions and co-evolution. Plants employ multiple defense mechanisms, including structural, biochemical, and genetic resistance. Genetic resistance is classified as horizontal (race-nonspecific) or vertical (race-specific). Vertical resistance refers to a form of plant disease resistance that is governed by one or several significant genes and works effectively against particular races or strains of a pathogen. Plant disease resistance is commonly mediated by resistance (R) genes that recognize corresponding pathogen avirulence (Avr) genes, as described by the gene-for-gene hypothesis. R genes encode NB-LRR immune receptors in plants that recognize specific pathogen Avr factors and trigger gene-for-gene defense responses, including hypersensitive cell death, PR protein production, systemic acquired resistance, and vertical resistance. Plants detect pathogens through molecular recognition to trigger defenses. In direct recognition, R proteins bind pathogen Avr proteins, while in indirect recognition, R proteins sense pathogen-induced changes in host targets; the latter is more common. These events activate calcium influx, ROS production, MAP kinase cascades, and defense gene expression. Understanding R gene function is essential for developing durable disease-resistant crops.
Modern agriculture, Molecular biology, Vertical resistance, Gene expression, Genetic resistance
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