Why is it important to select disease-resistant plant varieties?

Selecting disease-resistant plant varieties is crucial because it significantly enhances the likelihood of plants thriving in less-than-ideal conditions. Disease-resistant varieties have naturally evolved or been bred to withstand specific pathogens and pests that might otherwise compromise their health. By reducing the incidence of disease, these plants can allocate more energy towards growth and reproduction rather than defense mechanisms. This resilience allows them to establish themselves more robustly in varying environmental conditions, such as poor soil quality or less-than-optimal weather patterns, thereby increasing their overall productivity and survival rate.

Other options may seem plausible, but they do not capture the core benefit of disease resistance. While faster growth rates or enhanced fruit production are desirable attributes for some varieties, they do not inherently relate to the advantages provided by disease resistance. Similarly, the requirement for more water or less fruit production would not be beneficial traits, further emphasizing the importance of selecting varieties that prioritize resilience to diseases in the growth environment.