How is resistance defined in the context of herbicides?

Resistance is defined in the context of herbicides as the ability of a plant to survive after exposure to a lethal dose of herbicide. This refers to the genetic adaptation or alteration that allows certain plants to withstand herbicide chemicals that would normally be harmful or fatal. When a herbicide is applied, some plants may develop traits that enable them to detoxify, evade, or otherwise tolerate the effects of the herbicide. This phenomenon is particularly concerning in agricultural practices, as it can lead to the over-reliance on specific herbicides and contribute to the evolution of resistant weed populations, making weed management significantly more challenging.

Contextually, the other choices do not accurately reflect the concept of resistance. For instance, the idea of plants growing without nutrition does not relate to herbicide resistance. Similarly, the expectation of a uniform response to herbicides would imply that all plants react the same way, which contradicts the definition of resistance, as it is specifically about varying responses. Lastly, suggesting a dependence on herbicide application for growth misconstrues resistance, as it does not necessarily imply that the plant needs the herbicide to survive but rather that it has adapted to tolerate or survive its presence.