Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to compositions and methods for enhancing disease resistance in plants. One aspect of embodiments of the disclosure relates to a nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid molecule comprising a Pseudomonas tomato race 1 (Ptr1) polynucleotide, a 5′ heterologous DNA promoter sequence, and a 3′ terminator sequence, wherein the nucleic acid molecule, the DNA promoter sequence, and the terminator sequence are operatively coupled to permit transcription of the nucleic acid molecule. Methods of imparting disease resistance to a plant and methods of identifying a candidate plant suitable for breeding that displays enhanced disease resistance are also disclosed. Embodiments of the disclosure also include plant cells, plants, and plant seeds including a heterologous Pseudomonas tomato race 1 (Ptr1) polynucleotide.