Texas Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

What potential environmental harm can pesticide runoff cause?

1. It can enhance crop growth

2. It can harm nontarget plants

3. It can improve soil quality

4. It can increase pest populations

The correct answer is: It can harm nontarget plants

Pesticide runoff can lead to significant environmental harm, particularly to nontarget plants. When pesticides are applied, they can travel off the intended application site through water movement, such as rainfall or irrigation runoff. This can result in these chemicals reaching nearby water bodies, fields, or other areas where they were not meant to be used. Nontarget plants, which are species not intended to be affected by the pesticide application, can absorb these chemicals through their leaves or roots. This exposure can lead to various negative effects, such as toxicity, disruption of biological functions, stunted growth, or even death of the plants. When nontarget vegetation is harmed, it can disrupt local ecosystems and reduce biodiversity, affecting wildlife that depend on these plants for food and habitat. This underlines the importance of integrated pest management practices that minimize pesticide use and prevent runoff to protect the broader environment and maintain ecological balance.