Which of the following challenges can be avoided through proper variety selection?

Proper variety selection plays a crucial role in managing plant health and crop yield, particularly in cotton cultivation. Selecting the right variety can significantly impact the resilience of the crop against certain diseases and pests.

In this case, choosing cotton varieties that are resistant to bacterial blight and nematodes is a key strategy for minimizing these specific challenges. Resistant varieties can withstand or mitigate the effects of bacterial blight, which is caused by a bacterial pathogen that impacts leaf health, and nematodes, which are soil-dwelling pests that damage roots and reduce nutrient uptake. By selecting cotton varieties specifically bred for resistance to these issues, growers can enhance their crop's health, lower their reliance on chemical treatments, and ultimately improve yields.

While other challenges exist such as weed resistance, insect infestations, and weather variability, these are not as directly influenced by the selection of the cotton variety itself. For instance, weed resistance pertains more to management practices than genetic selection, and while certain insect-resistant varieties do exist, a broader array of insect pest management strategies may still be necessary to adequately address infestations. Weather variability is primarily outside the control of variety selection, as it relates to unpredictable environmental conditions rather than plant genetics. Thus, the correct answer highlights the importance of variety