Horizontal resistance

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Horizontal resistance

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somedave

Joined: 02 Apr 2012
Posts: 8

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 12 9:25 am Post subject: Horizontal resistance
I'd never heard of the different types of plant resistance before being pointed at this (free) ebook: http://www.sharebooks.ca/system/files/Return-to-Resistance.pdf It's a lengthy book, but seems fairly solid (to this non-biologist, anyway) . I was wondering if this is more generally known about, and whether it was only me who'd missed it.

Sally too

Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 2297
Location: N.Ireland

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 12 11:50 am Post subject:

I read that a couple of years ago. It's worth sending it to a Kindle or something as I found it heavy going on the computer. There is more than one book too I think.

I'm a biologist and it made quite a bit of sense to me. Although, I seem to remember finding one or two small things that I was unsure about... can't remember the details now. However the main message seemed sound IMO.

I recall that the book is all related to breeding plants for resistance - and not just looking for a single resistance gene that the pest can then eventually overcome, but rather looking for plants that have a range of resistance measures that each contribute to the overall strength of the plant. The method emphasises a wide genetic base and selection of the plants (plural) least affected by disease after exposure.

I guess it is advocating looking at population genetics rather than going for highly selective line breeding which reduces heterozygous nature of the breed.

IMO there's a fine balance between maintaining a breed line true to breed but still allowing diverse genetics.....

The term "horizontal resistance" is interesting and not one I'd heard of before reading this book. IME Horizontal gene transfer usually refers to DNA moved from one species to another in nature often via viruses (probably genetic manipulation to produce transgenic organisms would also fall under description).

Anyway that's my recall of what I thought..... I should probably take another look at the books!

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