What does tolerance in plants primarily refer to in relation to pathogens?

Tolerance in plants primarily refers to a decreased response to pathogens, meaning that the plant can endure infection without experiencing severe negative effects on its health or yield. In this context, tolerance signifies that the plant can withstand certain levels of pathogen presence without showing significant disease symptoms or loss of productivity.

This is distinct from resistance, where plants actively impede pathogen growth or infection, resulting in fewer or more minor infections. In tolerant plants, the focus is less on preventing the pathogen from causing damage and more on how the plant can continue to thrive despite the presence of the pathogen.

Understanding tolerance is crucial in the context of plant health and agriculture, as breeding for tolerant varieties can be a useful strategy for managing diseases that reduce crop yield. This practice can lead to more sustainable agricultural systems, where plants can cope with pathogens without the need for excessive chemical treatments.