Bias in the estimation of horizontal resistance to airborne fungi in plant breeding

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Summary The question is posed: do mixed plots of plant breeding materials selected for horizontal resistance to airborne fungal pathogens provide unbiased estimates? Alternatively, is the common belief that resistance is often under-estimated in mixed plantings justified? A review of the literature and some simple calculations suggest that systematic bias is indeed to be expected, provided that the components of resistance are positively correlated. If they are not, resistance is likely to be unpredictably mis-estimated. There is room for much more critical experimentation and better theory on what is, after all, an important matter.