Question

according to bruce smith, the ancestors of domesticated seed plants were
weedy generalists that thrived in disturbed environments
specialized plants with dietary appeal that required careful tending
preferred plants that attracted wild animals that fed on them
third choice plants that human beings ate only when necessary

Explanation:

Bruce Smith's research in anthropology (as plant domestication is related to human - plant interaction studies which can fall under anthropology's purview of human - environment and human - resource relationships) suggests that the ancestors of domesticated seed plants were weedy generalists. Weedy generalists can thrive in disturbed environments (like areas where human activities might have started to influence plant growth, such as early human settlements where soil was turned etc.). Specialized plants that need careful tending would be more of a result of domestication rather than the ancestral form. Plants that attracted wild animals that fed on them would not be ideal candidates for early domestication as they would be depleted by animals. Third - choice plants that humans ate only when necessary would not be the focus of early domestication efforts as domestication is more about plants that are useful and accessible.

Answer:

weedy generalists that thrived in disturbed environments