http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/rosesant/msg1102171032353.html?6

"He adds that an attack by a plant pathogen "marks the start of a war. If the plant can recognize the pathogen and activate its defense arsenal in time, the plant usually wins. But if the pathogen circumvents detection or the defenses themselves, the plant is in trouble. The more we learn about plant immune systems, the better are the chances we can help important crop plants win their war – without the collateral damage from chemical pesticides." "

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/12/031209080025.htm

Even stasticially valid tests with controls from research laboratories can miss an important variable and therefore not be valid under different conditions.

My father was born in 1897 on a Nebraska farm. He was the youngest of 6 boys that survived to adulthood. All of the boys had University educations in agriculture. He stressed that to be a successful farmer (he taught high school agriculture) it is very beneficial to understand one's crops. Thus, I was brought up in an environment that fostered understanding nature.

The nice thing about a forum is that one can pick the topics that one is interested in. For example, some would not be interested in a drought related topic, but may be interested in something related to winter survival, etc.