systemic-immunity

Systemic immunity refers to a plant's ability to mount a broad, whole-organism defense response after a localized infection or stress event, often triggered by mobile signaling molecules that travel from the initial infection site to distant tissues. This process, exemplified by systemic acquired resistance, allows plants to prime their immune defenses in advance of future pathogen encounters, enhancing resistance across the entire organism rather than just the initially affected area. Understanding these signaling pathways is crucial for developing crop varieties with improved, durable disease resistance without relying solely on chemical treatments.