Breeding for Resistance to Biotic Stresses in Plants

Abstract

Biotic stresses cause significant loss in crop plants and management of biotic stresses (Diseases and pests) not only increases the cost of production but also has implications on environment and ecology. Increasing use of chemical agents for biotic stress management is concern for growers, exporters and animal and human health. The best method is to use resistant varieties which are economical, healthier and eco-friendly approach. Breeding for disease and pest resistance is major objective in most of the breeding programs across the crop species and world. The resistance breeding requires the resistant source or donor which may be the same species, related species of same genera or family, or altogether an alien species. There is need of recipient or target species and method of transfer of resistance. There are different approaches for breeding for resistance against different kinds of stress which involve both conventional and modern tools. Resistance breeding approach is to be at least one step ahead of the pathogen or pest in question. Achieving the goal of development of a resistant variety also needs attention on the durability of resistance for which the knowledge of resistance on the inheritance, expression and interaction with fellow genes and environment aspects. In this chapter emphasis has been given on importance of biotic stresses, inheritance, resistance sources, breeding approaches, and modern tools.