A nematode-resistant plant may have vulnerability to

A nematode-resistant plant may have vulnerability to

• A. Alternate pests that live and breed nearby
• B. Diseases that arise only under drought
• C. Insect pollinators
• D. Soil salinity changes

Answer: (A)

Nematode resistance often comes with trade-offs in a plant’s pest defenses. When root traits are altered to deter nematodes, the soil environment and root exudates can change in ways that make the plant more attractive or accessible to other pests that live and breed nearby, so alternate pests can become a bigger problem even as nematodes are held in check. The other options aren’t typically linked to nematode resistance: drought-related diseases aren’t a direct consequence of this trait, insect pollinators are beneficial rather than pests, and soil salinity changes aren’t caused by nematode resistance traits.

Nematode resistance often comes with trade-offs in a plant’s pest defenses. When root traits are altered to deter nematodes, the soil environment and root exudates can change in ways that make the plant more attractive or accessible to other pests that live and breed nearby, so alternate pests can become a bigger problem even as nematodes are held in check. The other options aren’t typically linked to nematode resistance: drought-related diseases aren’t a direct consequence of this trait, insect pollinators are beneficial rather than pests, and soil salinity changes aren’t caused by nematode resistance traits.