Which characteristic allows hydrilla to survive fluridone treatment?

The ability of hydrilla to survive fluridone treatment is linked to mutations that enable its production of carotenoids. Fluridone is a systemic herbicide that works by inhibiting the synthesis of carotenoids, which are essential for photosynthesis and the overall health of the plant. When hydrilla undergoes mutations that allow it to produce carotenoids despite fluridone's effects, it can continue to thrive and recover from the treatment. This mechanism is critical for its resilience and is a significant factor in the ineffectiveness of fluridone in managing hydrilla populations in aquatic environments.

Other characteristics, such as rapid growth rate, ability to produce seeds, and high soil nutrient uptake, play a role in hydrilla's overall success and proliferation, but they do not directly influence its capability to withstand the specific effects of fluridone. The mutations enabling carotenoid production directly counteract the action of the herbicide, making this characteristic pivotal in understanding hydrilla's resistance.