WISCONSIN PESTICIDE APPLICATOR COMMERCIAL CATEGORY 6.0 EXAM 2023-2024 ACTUAL EXAM 150
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
What determines whether a given plant is a weed? - (answer) A weed is any unwanted plant
What are the two main goals of weed management? - (answer) The primary goal is to minimize weed
competition and the other main goal is to limit the weed's reproduction in order to manage the weed
population in years to come.
Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and herbaceous from woody plants - (answer) Grasses are
considered monocots, meaning they have a single seed leaf, they also have narrow leaves with parallel
veins and a fibrous root system. Broadleaf plants have two seed leaves and are therefore called dicots,
they have broad leaves with veins that form a net patterns. Broadleaf plants can be further classified into
herbaceous and woody, where the woody plants have a thick layer of dense tissue called bark, which
herbaceous plants lack.
Describe the life cycles and propagation of annual, biennial, and perennial plants - (answer) Annual
plants live for less than a year, they produce many seeds in one growing season, and then die. Summer
annuals winter as seeds, and winter annuals winter as a low-growing plant, both summer and winter
annuals are easiest to control when they are small. Biennial plants live for two growing seasons, they
germinate from seed in the spring or summer and winter as a rosette of leaves. They flower in their
second year, produce seeds and then die. Both annuals and biennials reproduce only by seed. Perennial
plants live for at least 2 years and sometimes longer, they may reproduce by seed or vegetatively
through several different mechanisms.
What is needed to kill annual, biennial, and perennial weeds and when is it easiest to do so? - (answer)
To kill annuals or biennials, you must kill the whole shoot. Controlling these weeds with tillage or
herbicides will kill them plus stop seed production, which will reduce future weed problems. The most
effective way to kill perennials is to destroy the underground vegetative structures by either repeatedly
tilling the soil or by using a herbicide that translocates to destroy all of the plant parts.
How should you time herbicide application with respect to a plant's life cycle and which timing is most
effective? - (answer) All weeds may start as seedlings and it is most effective to treat the plants at this
stage because less energy is required to kill the plants at this stage than at any other. Biennials and
Annuals are controlled by a fall or early spring treatment, and perennials are controlled best with a fall
treatment as well.
What are the effects of soil texture and organic matter content on application of soil herbicides? -
(answer) Soil organic matter and clay particles can adsorb soil-applied herbicides, meaning more
,WISCONSIN PESTICIDE APPLICATOR COMMERCIAL CATEGORY 6.0 EXAM 2023-2024 ACTUAL EXAM 150
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
herbicide will be required in these types of soils because the herbicide will be bound to the soil particles
and will not be available to be absorbed by the weeds.
How do you keep soil herbicides from moving off target? - (answer) Do not apply herbicides to areas
where they may leach into groundwater, or run off into water sources or cropping areas. Also avoid
applying herbicides to areas where desired tree and shrub roots may extend and DO NOT apply
herbicides to frozen soils.
How and when should you apply soil herbicides? - (answer) Soil treatments are commonly used when
a site requires residual non-selective control, such as electric transformer stations, rail ballasts and
signpost bases. They can be applied any time that the soil is not frozen, and some soil applied herbicides
need to be transported by rain to be absorbed by the plant.
When are foliar sprays appropriate and not appropriate? - (answer) Foliar sprays are not
recommended for large brush because of the potential for drift. Foliar sprays should be operated from
the ground close to the plant and can either be applied through broadcast or spot application.
What are the factors in timing a foliar spray? - (answer) Foliar treatments can be made from the time
the leaves are fully expanded until they begin to turn color in the fall, but are most effective when
applied to fully developed foliage of an actively growing plant. They should be applied at a temperature
between 60 and 80 degrees F, and should have adequate time to soak into to plant, thus applying right
before it rains is ineffective.
How are adjuvants used most effectively? - (answer) Adjuvants may be necessary to use for better
absorption by foliage that is extremely waxy or hairy.
What are the similarities and differences between foliar, cut-surface, and basal bark applications? -
(answer) Foliar applications are put directly onto the foliage of a growing plant. Basal bark applications
are used to control shrubs, canes and thickets or trees up to 5 inches in diameter and are applied to the
lower 18 inches of the stems. Cut-surface treatments are used to control plants with thick bark or when
they have trunks larger than 5 inches in diameter at the base.
Define and explain "pesticide". - (answer) A pesticide is any substance used to directly control pest
populations or to prevent or reduce pest damage. Pesticides can range from anything such as an
insecticide to a herbicide to a fungicide.
, WISCONSIN PESTICIDE APPLICATOR COMMERCIAL CATEGORY 6.0 EXAM 2023-2024 ACTUAL EXAM 150
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
What is the difference between organic and inorganic? - (answer) Organic means the compound
contains the element carbon, it does not mean it is natural. Inorganic means that the it is derived from
minerals that occur in nature.
What is the difference between the different types of pesticide names? - (answer) Chemical name:
complies with accepted guidelines established by chemists.
Common name: normally appear on the label before or above the chemical name and refers to an active
ingredient.
Trade name: the name given by the manufacturer, appears in large letters at the top of the label
Compare selective and non-selective herbicides: - (answer) Selective herbicides only harm certain
plants and leave others unharmed. Non-selective herbicides are toxic to most or all plants.
What are the uses and characteristics of contact and systemic herbicides? - (answer) Contact
herbicides do not move within the plant, they are sprayed on and only kill the parts of the plant they
actually touch. Systemic herbicides are absorbed through leaves or roots and then mover or translocate
within the treated plant.
What are the effects and uses of plant growth regulators? - (answer) Plant growth regulators do not
kill plants, but are used to increase, decrease, or change in some fashion the normal growth and or
reproduction of the plant. They may be used to retard plant growth and reduce the need for other
chemical or mechanical management measures.
Describe the function of inert ingredients: - (answer) They do not possess pesticidial activity but are
added to improve application effectiveness, safety, handling, storage or other characteristics of the final
product.
Why are there different kinds of formulations and what needs to be considered when selecting one? -
(answer) The chemistry of the active ingredients dictate which formulations are possible, so when
selecting a formulation the following should be considered: effectiveness of the active ingredient,
registered use of the active ingredient, risks to the user, treated site and environment, measurability of
the formulation, characteristics of the formulation and how they will effect equipment, temperature at
which the formulation needs to be stored ect.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
What determines whether a given plant is a weed? - (answer) A weed is any unwanted plant
What are the two main goals of weed management? - (answer) The primary goal is to minimize weed
competition and the other main goal is to limit the weed's reproduction in order to manage the weed
population in years to come.
Distinguish grasses from broadleaf plants and herbaceous from woody plants - (answer) Grasses are
considered monocots, meaning they have a single seed leaf, they also have narrow leaves with parallel
veins and a fibrous root system. Broadleaf plants have two seed leaves and are therefore called dicots,
they have broad leaves with veins that form a net patterns. Broadleaf plants can be further classified into
herbaceous and woody, where the woody plants have a thick layer of dense tissue called bark, which
herbaceous plants lack.
Describe the life cycles and propagation of annual, biennial, and perennial plants - (answer) Annual
plants live for less than a year, they produce many seeds in one growing season, and then die. Summer
annuals winter as seeds, and winter annuals winter as a low-growing plant, both summer and winter
annuals are easiest to control when they are small. Biennial plants live for two growing seasons, they
germinate from seed in the spring or summer and winter as a rosette of leaves. They flower in their
second year, produce seeds and then die. Both annuals and biennials reproduce only by seed. Perennial
plants live for at least 2 years and sometimes longer, they may reproduce by seed or vegetatively
through several different mechanisms.
What is needed to kill annual, biennial, and perennial weeds and when is it easiest to do so? - (answer)
To kill annuals or biennials, you must kill the whole shoot. Controlling these weeds with tillage or
herbicides will kill them plus stop seed production, which will reduce future weed problems. The most
effective way to kill perennials is to destroy the underground vegetative structures by either repeatedly
tilling the soil or by using a herbicide that translocates to destroy all of the plant parts.
How should you time herbicide application with respect to a plant's life cycle and which timing is most
effective? - (answer) All weeds may start as seedlings and it is most effective to treat the plants at this
stage because less energy is required to kill the plants at this stage than at any other. Biennials and
Annuals are controlled by a fall or early spring treatment, and perennials are controlled best with a fall
treatment as well.
What are the effects of soil texture and organic matter content on application of soil herbicides? -
(answer) Soil organic matter and clay particles can adsorb soil-applied herbicides, meaning more
,WISCONSIN PESTICIDE APPLICATOR COMMERCIAL CATEGORY 6.0 EXAM 2023-2024 ACTUAL EXAM 150
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
herbicide will be required in these types of soils because the herbicide will be bound to the soil particles
and will not be available to be absorbed by the weeds.
How do you keep soil herbicides from moving off target? - (answer) Do not apply herbicides to areas
where they may leach into groundwater, or run off into water sources or cropping areas. Also avoid
applying herbicides to areas where desired tree and shrub roots may extend and DO NOT apply
herbicides to frozen soils.
How and when should you apply soil herbicides? - (answer) Soil treatments are commonly used when
a site requires residual non-selective control, such as electric transformer stations, rail ballasts and
signpost bases. They can be applied any time that the soil is not frozen, and some soil applied herbicides
need to be transported by rain to be absorbed by the plant.
When are foliar sprays appropriate and not appropriate? - (answer) Foliar sprays are not
recommended for large brush because of the potential for drift. Foliar sprays should be operated from
the ground close to the plant and can either be applied through broadcast or spot application.
What are the factors in timing a foliar spray? - (answer) Foliar treatments can be made from the time
the leaves are fully expanded until they begin to turn color in the fall, but are most effective when
applied to fully developed foliage of an actively growing plant. They should be applied at a temperature
between 60 and 80 degrees F, and should have adequate time to soak into to plant, thus applying right
before it rains is ineffective.
How are adjuvants used most effectively? - (answer) Adjuvants may be necessary to use for better
absorption by foliage that is extremely waxy or hairy.
What are the similarities and differences between foliar, cut-surface, and basal bark applications? -
(answer) Foliar applications are put directly onto the foliage of a growing plant. Basal bark applications
are used to control shrubs, canes and thickets or trees up to 5 inches in diameter and are applied to the
lower 18 inches of the stems. Cut-surface treatments are used to control plants with thick bark or when
they have trunks larger than 5 inches in diameter at the base.
Define and explain "pesticide". - (answer) A pesticide is any substance used to directly control pest
populations or to prevent or reduce pest damage. Pesticides can range from anything such as an
insecticide to a herbicide to a fungicide.
, WISCONSIN PESTICIDE APPLICATOR COMMERCIAL CATEGORY 6.0 EXAM 2023-2024 ACTUAL EXAM 150
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
What is the difference between organic and inorganic? - (answer) Organic means the compound
contains the element carbon, it does not mean it is natural. Inorganic means that the it is derived from
minerals that occur in nature.
What is the difference between the different types of pesticide names? - (answer) Chemical name:
complies with accepted guidelines established by chemists.
Common name: normally appear on the label before or above the chemical name and refers to an active
ingredient.
Trade name: the name given by the manufacturer, appears in large letters at the top of the label
Compare selective and non-selective herbicides: - (answer) Selective herbicides only harm certain
plants and leave others unharmed. Non-selective herbicides are toxic to most or all plants.
What are the uses and characteristics of contact and systemic herbicides? - (answer) Contact
herbicides do not move within the plant, they are sprayed on and only kill the parts of the plant they
actually touch. Systemic herbicides are absorbed through leaves or roots and then mover or translocate
within the treated plant.
What are the effects and uses of plant growth regulators? - (answer) Plant growth regulators do not
kill plants, but are used to increase, decrease, or change in some fashion the normal growth and or
reproduction of the plant. They may be used to retard plant growth and reduce the need for other
chemical or mechanical management measures.
Describe the function of inert ingredients: - (answer) They do not possess pesticidial activity but are
added to improve application effectiveness, safety, handling, storage or other characteristics of the final
product.
Why are there different kinds of formulations and what needs to be considered when selecting one? -
(answer) The chemistry of the active ingredients dictate which formulations are possible, so when
selecting a formulation the following should be considered: effectiveness of the active ingredient,
registered use of the active ingredient, risks to the user, treated site and environment, measurability of
the formulation, characteristics of the formulation and how they will effect equipment, temperature at
which the formulation needs to be stored ect.
