Which of the following is a demerit of plant introduction?
Despite expanding gene pools, introduction carries inadvertent adverse consequences representing demerits. Along with desired cultivars, weed seeds such as Phalaris minor, Avena fatua, Parthenium hysterophorus introduced with PL-480 wheat shipments from USA in 1960s became dominant weeds competing for light, nutrients and space, producing allelochemicals like parthenin suppressing crop growth. Pathogens such as coffee rust, potato late blight and diseases like downy mildew also hitchhike as dormant mycelium. Invasive ornamentals outcompete native flora reducing biodiversity index. Economic cos
Ref: Kohli RK Invasive Alien Species India; NCERT Class XII Biodiversity demerits; CABI Invasive weed Parthenium origin.