Size/ growth traits
It has been observed that faster-growing species experience greater
pathogen infection, indicating a trade-off between growth and pathogen
resistance
(Hoffland et
al. 1996; Blumenthal et al. 2009; Parker & Gilbert 2018). Some
evidence suggests, taller plants and plants with faster vertical
elongation may be more susceptible to pathogens
(Marquis et al.2001; Robert et al. 2018). There is some evidence that invasive
plants have, on average, faster growth rate and larger size than
non-invasive species which could predispose them to pathogen attack
(van Kleunen et al.2010).