The potential of plant genetics in the overall context of integrated pest control could be viewed simply as the potential of plant resistance in pest management. Genetic resistance in plants is one of the most effective and economic means of controlling plant pests. Resistant plants are the first line defence against pests. Successes in breeding for pest resistance depend upon the sound knowledge of the plant genes controlling resistance to pests.
Recent report on the existence of two nonatlelic and independent genes, Rac1 and Rac2 in cowpea cultivars ICV 10 and TVu 310, and ICV 11 and ICV 12, respectively, from the ICIPE has broadened the scope of cowpea breeding against aphid biotypes. Use of biotechnology as a plant breeding tool in transferring resistance genes into agronomically suitable cultivars appears to hold good promise for the future.