Reproductive traits
Life history strategies related to reproduction are similarly connected
with trade-offs in allocation patterns. For example, larger seeds and
those that require longer germination times tend to have increased
pathogen susceptibility
(Pringleet al. 2007; Beckman & Muller-Landau 2011; Beckstead et
al. 2014; Domínguez‐Begines et al. 2020). However, seed traits
related to dormancy (e.g. physical barriers, chemical defense,
association with beneficial microbes, and germination time) are
associated with resistance to pathogen infection
(Dalling et al.2011). These seed defense syndromes provide a framework to study if
seed traits of invasive plants influence the probability of pathogen
accumulation. Seed and plant traits such as seed mass, plant height, and
dispersal mode also influence seed dispersal distance
(Thomson et al.2011; Tamme et al. 2014), which is an important determinant of
density dependent pathogen effects and negative plant-soil feedbacks
(Augspurger & Kelly 1984).
Foraging arthropods, including pollinators and herbivores, can transmit
pathogens among plants
(Durrer & Schmid-Hempel
1994). Plants with more attractive flowers (e.g, higher nectar
production) may thus be particularly susceptible to pathogen attack
(Rocheet al. 1995; Shykoff & Bucheli 1995; Shykoff et al. 1996;
Ferrari et al. 2007).