A plant pathologist crossbreeds 150 plants. 60% show early resistance, and 40% of those also resist late blight. How many plants resist both early and late blight?

Mon, 04 May 2026 07:30:26 +0000

**How Many Plants Resist Both Early Resistance and Late Blight? Insights from Modern Plant Breeding** In a world increasingly focused on food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture, the work of plant pathologists crossbreeding 150 carefully selected plant varieties is gaining quiet attention. These scientists combine genetics with science to develop crops that thrive under pressure—especially those vulnerable to early infections and late blight, a destructive disease threatening food crops worldwide. Each year, researchers work to improve resistance, and recent findings highlight compelling outcomes from such breeding efforts. When a plant pathologist crossbreeds 150 plants, statistical results reveal that 60% show early resistance—meaning they defend against initial disease signs during growth. This foundation is critical because early resistance can slow disease spread and reduce losses. But resistance isn’t always permanent or complete. Of those 150 plants, 40% of the resistant ones also demonstrate lasting protection against late blight, a particularly aggressive plant disease linked to yield collapse across staple crops. **Calculating Resistance: The Numbers Behind the Resistance**