The two components of plant HR - resistance and cell death – can be physiologically, genetically and temporally uncoupled.

HR should be considered as a combination of resistance and cell death, where cell death may be dispensable for resistance.

The varying contribution of HR cell death and resistance generates an array of defense strategies differing in efficiency.

Early defenses lead to symptomless (extreme) resistance, moderately early defenses confer resistance with cell death (HR).

A delayed host resistance may lead to “systemic HR” with a partial/near complete loss of control over pathogen invasion.