Which statement about stressed plants and pest susceptibility is accurate?

Which statement about stressed plants and pest susceptibility is accurate?

• A. Stress increases susceptibility to insects and disease
• B. Stress decreases susceptibility to pests
• C. Stress has no effect on pest susceptibility
• D. Stress makes plants more resistant to pests

Answer: (A)

When a plant is stressed, it diverts energy and resources to cope with the adverse condition—such as drought, heat, salinity, or nutrient deficiency—leaving less for growth and for defense. This reduced investment in defense weakens physical barriers and lowers the production of chemical compounds that deter or suppress pests and pathogens. Stress also alters hormonal signaling in ways that can make plants more attractive to insects or slower to mount an effective defense. The net effect is that stressed plants are typically more susceptible to insects and diseases.

When a plant is stressed, it diverts energy and resources to cope with the adverse condition—such as drought, heat, salinity, or nutrient deficiency—leaving less for growth and for defense. This reduced investment in defense weakens physical barriers and lowers the production of chemical compounds that deter or suppress pests and pathogens. Stress also alters hormonal signaling in ways that can make plants more attractive to insects or slower to mount an effective defense. The net effect is that stressed plants are typically more susceptible to insects and diseases.