Largeleaf phlox (Phlox amplifolia) is a sun-tolerant plant that's resistant to powdery mildew, a fungal disease that affects many flowers. The native plant produces underground runners that slowly spread to form a large mass.
Aspidistra is quite literally the Tony Stark of all plants. Native to eastern and southeastern Asia, this cast-iron super-plant is nearly indestructible and can handle reasonable neglect.
Examples include barley MLO against powdery mildew, wheat Lr34 against leaf rust and wheat Yr36 against wheat stripe rust. An array of mechanisms for this type of resistance may exist depending on the particular gene and plant-pathogen combination.
The majority of plant diseases are caused by fungi. There are well over 100,000 different species of fungi and only a surprisingly small portion of them are capable of causing plant diseases. Fungi are similar to plants but lack chlorophyll and the conductive or vascular tissues that are found in ferns and seed plants.
Laboratory-dish experiments showed that the natural compound, a water-soluble tannin known as PGG, blocks 90% of the growth in four different species of Candida fungi. The researchers also discovered how PGG inhibits the growth: It grabs up iron molecules, essentially starving the fungi of an essential nutrient.
Peas will be okay, brassicas and lettuce are also unaffected by rust. Protect brassicas from the white cabbage butterfly which is still around, maybe hold off a little longer so plants don't get munched by the caterpillars.
Pothos. The Pothos plant is the ultimate indestructible plant on the list. It is tough, durable, and is one of the top-performing air purifiers in NASA's indoor air pollution study. Pothos are considered some of the best plants for offices because they can stay green even in very low-light environments.
Moringa has been used for thousands of years in eastern countries, but its health benefits are now becoming better known in America. Traditionally, the entire tree has been used to support health, however, most Western nutritional uses center around the leaves, and with good reason.
Incorporating powdery mildew-resistant plants into the landscape — such as phlox 'David,' bee balm 'Jacob Cline,' and zinnia 'State Fair' —can reduce the amount and severity of powdery mildew. This can improve landscape appearance and reduce the need for fungicides.
Some vegetables seem to have a natural, built-in resistance: carrots, beets, endive (including escarole and witloof chicory), chives, okra, Egyptian onions, parsley, peppers, and rhubarb. Under good growing conditions, lettuce might be added to this list, too.
Aloe Vera has many benefits, it can be used to heal burns, treat psoriasis or eczema, reduce constipation, reduce plaque build-up, speed up recovery of mouth ulcers, and treat acne.
Plants also share with animals an immune system that kicks in when pathogens breach the outer defenses and invade the organism (an “infection”). The plant immune system is similar in some ways to animal systems but has key differences. Pathogens can get into the plant through openings in the plant's outer layer.
Fighting rust fungi with home remedies
This tried-and-tested treatment is simple to make at home. Simply mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 litre of water, then thoroughly spray affected and vulnerable plants. Repeat the application every couple of weeks to maintain control over rust fungus.
Fungicides with the active ingredient Myclobutanil or Azoxystrobin are most effective against rust fungi. Fungicides with the active ingredient Chlorothalonil or Thiophanate methyl provide some protection against rust fungi but not complete protection.
Metals that don't rust typically include stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. Due to its chromium content, stainless steel forms a protective oxide layer that prevents rust.
Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is a fatal tree disease caused by an aggressive fungus that interferes with a tree's ability to transport water and nutrients from its trunk to the leaves. The Government of Alberta reports that most trees with DED die fairly quickly, usually in just a season or two.