Host-plant resistance offers a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for managing emerging and persistent diseases in cotton production systems. Research in my lab at the University of Georgia has focused on identifying, characterizing, and deploying resistance to key pathogens affecting U.S. cotton, including root-knot nematodes. Advances in genomic tools have enabled the dissection of resistance mechanisms, leading to the identification of major quantitative trait loci associated with disease response. These efforts have also supported the development of molecular marker technologies and breeder-friendly selection tools that accelerate the incorporation of resistance into elite germplasm. Current research emphasizes the integration of host-plant resistance with favorable agronomic performance and fiber quality traits to ensure practical utility and adoption by growers. Together, these efforts highlight the critical role of genomics-assisted breeding in enhancing cotton resilience and supporting sustainable production systems.