Hypersensitive Response in Plants

Abstract The hypersensitive response (HR) in plants is a rapid and highly localized cell death that may be evoked by pathogen challenge. The HR is not a disease syndrome but is an effective, host‐regulated defence response which contributes towards the neutralization of the invading pathogen. Research into the elicitation and elaboration of the HR is a major research theme in plant biology where there is a close interaction between laboratory‐based experimental science and plant breeders in order to generate pathogen‐resistant crops.