Which term refers to the acquired ability of a plant to survive doses of herbicide typically lethal to the wild type?

The term that refers to the acquired ability of a plant to survive doses of herbicide that would normally be lethal to the wild type is "Resistance." This phenomenon occurs when a plant population evolves or develops mechanisms that allow them to withstand the effects of a specific herbicide. Resistance can result from genetic changes that modify the target site of the herbicide, enhance the degradation of the herbicide, or even promote the exclusion of the herbicide from the plant's tissues.

In ecological and agricultural contexts, understanding herbicide resistance is crucial for effective weed management strategies. Herbicide resistance can arise from several factors, including repeated exposure to the same herbicide, which applies selective pressure on the weed population. This selective pressure leads to the survival and proliferation of resistant individuals, thereby increasing the overall resistance levels within that population.

The other terms have distinct meanings: “Susceptibility” refers to the sensitivity or vulnerability of plants to herbicides, while “Tolerance” typically describes a plant's ability to withstand certain environmental conditions or stresses without being considered resistant to an herbicide. “Biotype” is a term used to describe a genetically distinct group within a species, but it does not specifically refer to herbicide resistance. Hence, "Resistance" is the most accurate term