Exploiting knowledge of the genetics and biochemistry of host-parasite interaction in order to control disease

Abstract

The genetics and biochemistry of the interaction of plants and their parasites discussed in the previous chapters offer many possibilities for control without resorting to broad-spectrum biocides. Of these, conventional plant breeding has been by far the best exploited. However, this approach assumes the existence of adequate sources of resistance in the crop itself or its wild relatives and that there are no barriers to hybridization — requirements that are not always met. Further problems associated with conventional breeding are the long times taken to develop resistant crop plants by this means and the lack of durability of resistance conferred by some genes (section 6.2).