This review discusses the trade-offs between plant growth and disease resistance in crops and strategies to balance them for improved crop breeding. Plants have evolved complex immune systems to combat pathogens, but immune activation can be costly and negatively impact growth. In crops, high disease resistance often reduces yield, making it essential to find a balance between growth and defense. Recent research has focused on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying this trade-off, particularly through resistance (R) genes, susceptibility (S) genes, and pleiotropic genes. NLR genes, which are involved in disease resistance, can influence plant growth and development. For example, the NLR gene Pigm in rice contributes to blast resistance but can also affect plant growth. However, careful regulation of NLR expression, such as through epigenetic modifications, can help maintain a balance between resistance and yield. Similarly, S genes, which facilitate pathogen infection, can be modified to enhance resistance without significant yield loss. For instance, the ROD1 gene in rice suppresses immunity but can be altered to confer resistance without affecting yield. Pleiotropic genes, which influence multiple traits, also play a role in the growth-defense trade-off. For example, the rice gene IPA1 affects both plant architecture and disease resistance. Modifying these genes can help optimize the balance between yield and disease resistance. Additionally, genome editing technologies have enabled the precise modification of genes to enhance resistance without compromising yield. For example, editing the RBL1 gene in rice has resulted in resistance to multiple pathogens without yield penalties. Conditional expression of defense regulators, such as using promoters that respond to pathogen signals, can provide a more controlled immune response. This approach allows for enhanced disease resistance without significant growth penalties. Furthermore, the use of crop wild relatives (CWRs) has provided valuable genetic resources for improving disease resistance and yield. By introducing beneficial genes from CWRs into cultivated crops, breeders can develop varieties with enhanced resistance and higher yields. Rational design approaches, such as pyramiding multiple resistance genes, have also been used to develop crops with improved disease resistance and yield. These strategies involve combining multiple genes to enhance resistance while maintaining high productivity. Overall, advances in functional genomics, genome editing, and breeding strategies are helping to overcome the growth-defense trade-off, leading to more resilient and productive crops.This review discusses the trade-offs between plant growth and disease resistance in crops and strategies to balance them for improved crop breeding. Plants have evolved complex immune systems to combat pathogens, but immune activation can be costly and negatively impact growth. In crops, high disease resistance often reduces yield, making it essential to find a balance between growth and defense. Recent research has focused on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying this trade-off, particularly through resistance (R) genes, susceptibility (S) genes, and pleiotropic genes. NLR genes, which are involved in disease resistance, can influence plant growth and development. For example, the NLR gene Pigm in rice contributes to blast resistance but can also affect plant growth. However, careful regulation of NLR expression, such as through epigenetic modifications, can help maintain a balance between resistance and yield. Similarly, S genes, which facilitate pathogen infection, can be modified to enhance resistance without significant yield loss. For instance, the ROD1 gene in rice suppresses immunity but can be altered to confer resistance without affecting yield. Pleiotropic genes, which influence multiple traits, also play a role in the growth-defense trade-off. For example, the rice gene IPA1 affects both plant architecture and disease resistance. Modifying these genes can help optimize the balance between yield and disease resistance. Additionally, genome editing technologies have enabled the precise modification of genes to enhance resistance without compromising yield. For example, editing the RBL1 gene in rice has resulted in resistance to multiple pathogens without yield penalties. Conditional expression of defense regulators, such as using promoters that respond to pathogen signals, can provide a more controlled immune response. This approach allows for enhanced disease resistance without significant growth penalties. Furthermore, the use of crop wild relatives (CWRs) has provided valuable genetic resources for improving disease resistance and yield. By introducing beneficial genes from CWRs into cultivated crops, breeders can develop varieties with enhanced resistance and higher yields. Rational design approaches, such as pyramiding multiple resistance genes, have also been used to develop crops with improved disease resistance and yield. These strategies involve combining multiple genes to enhance resistance while maintaining high productivity. Overall, advances in functional genomics, genome editing, and breeding strategies are helping to overcome the growth-defense trade-off, leading to more resilient and productive crops.