Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Practice Test

What is a potential consequence of poor pesticide calibration?

1. Increased pest resistance

2. Higher costs of pesticide purchase

3. Inaccurate pest population assessments

4. Crop damage due to phytotoxicity

The correct answer is: Crop damage due to phytotoxicity

The potential consequence of poor pesticide calibration that stands out is crop damage due to phytotoxicity. When calibration is not performed accurately, the amount of pesticide applied may exceed the recommended levels, leading to excessive chemical exposure for the crops. Phytotoxicity occurs when a pesticide causes harm to plants, which can manifest as leaf burn, stunted growth, or even plant death. Proper calibration of pesticide application equipment is crucial to ensure that the right amount of pesticide is applied to effectively manage pests while minimizing any adverse effects on the crops themselves. If the calibration is poor, there is a very real risk of applying too much pesticide, resulting in phytotoxic effects that can compromise crop health and yield. This highlights the importance of meticulous calibration processes in pesticide application. While increased pest resistance, higher costs of pesticide purchase, and inaccurate pest population assessments are significant concerns related to pesticide use, they stem from different issues and do not directly relate to the immediate and detrimental effects of incorrect application levels leading to plant damage.