The present invention relates to pathogenic resistance. More particularly the present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences involved in the resistance mechanism of banana plants to fungal pathogens particularly, the soil born Fusarium fungi. Two banana resistance genes, RGA5 and RGA2 are isolated and characterised. The invention also relates to the use of these sequences for modulating plant resistance and for producing genetically modified plants having modified pathogen resistance characteristics.