Plant resistance: scientific basis and latest research progress

Plant resistance to insects and diseases is a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, reducing dependence on chemical pesticides and enhancing long-term crop resilience. Plant resistance is a suite of constitutive and inducible defenses, including structural barriers, biochemical defenses, signaling pathways activated upon recognition of pest or pathogen derived cues. Understanding how plants perceive biotic stress and mobilize these defenses through secondary metabolite production, reinforcement of physical barriers, and coordinated regulation of defense genes, is essential for designing effective management strategies Host plant resistance to insect herbivores exemplifies how specific plant traits can deter feeding, limit pest survival, or reduce reproduction. Advances in biotechnology, such as CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, RNA interference (RNAi), and transgenic approaches, have accelerated the development of crops with enhanced and durable resistance. These technologies enable precise manipulation of key resistance genes and pathways. Likewise, the integration of traditional methods with marker-assisted selection and genomic selection is improving the efficiency and accuracy of developing resistant cultivars. This review highlights the importance of dissecting plant-insect and plant-pathogen interactions at the molecular, biochemical, physiological levels to inform robust resistance integration. Future research that leverages advanced technologies and integrates resistance traits with agronomic performance will be pivotal for advancing sustainable pest management and ensure global food security. Together, these insights underscore the essential role of plant resistance in integrated pest management and crop improvement programs.