Durable Resistance in Crops

Plant diseases and pests are a major constraint to agricultural production despite the various measures used to control them. Chemical control, although often effective, may pose environmental hazards and is relatively expensive, especially in developing countries where it may be completely uneconomic. Control through genetically mediated resistance to diseases and pests, is both cheap and environmentally sa~e and at present most diseases and pests o~ staple ~ood crops are controlled throug...