The inherited ability of a plant variety to resist, tolerate, or reduce damage from specific plant diseases.
Some plant varieties are naturally better at defending themselves against certain diseases than others. Through plant breeding, growers have developed varieties that are less likely to become severely affected by particular pathogens.
Disease resistance is usually specific rather than universal. A plant that resists one disease may still be vulnerable to others. For this reason, seed packets and plant labels often list the diseases a variety is resistant to.
Choosing resistant varieties is one of the simplest ways to reduce disease problems before they begin.
Disease resistance helps gardeners grow healthier plants with fewer losses and less need for intervention. Selecting resistant varieties can improve reliability, especially in areas where certain diseases occur regularly. It is often one of the most effective tools for preventing recurring disease issues.