Certified Crop Advisor Practice Exam

What term describes the vulnerability of a plant to disease?

1. Resistance

2. Susceptibility

3. Tolerance

4. Diversity

The correct answer is: Susceptibility

The term that accurately describes the vulnerability of a plant to disease is "susceptibility." This term refers to the inherent characteristics of the plant that make it more prone to infection or damage by pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria, or viruses. When a plant exhibits high susceptibility, it means that it lacks effective mechanisms to fend off disease-causing organisms, making it easier for those organisms to infect and harm the plant. In contrast, resistance refers to a plant's ability to withstand disease attack, often through various biochemical and physiological mechanisms that deter or mitigate the impact of pathogens. Tolerance describes a plant's ability to endure the presence of pathogens, potentially sustaining some level of damage but still maintaining functionality or yield. Diversity in crop varieties can enhance overall plant resilience against diseases, but it does not specifically refer to individual plant vulnerability. Understanding susceptibility is crucial for effective disease management strategies in agriculture.