Iowa Commercial Pesticide Appl: Right-of-
Way (Category 6) UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORECT Answers
Who's Responsible? - CORRECT ANSWER - An applicator is responsible for any
damage to private or public property resulting from careless application or misuse of herbicides
What are roadside management objectives? - CORRECT ANSWER - The current goal of
many roadside management programs is to 1) control only those plants listed as noxious weeds
or 2) plants that interfere with the vision of motorists, 3) inhibit the flow of water through
drainage ditches, 4) pose a fire hazard, or 5) interfere with activities of humans in other manners.
Spot treatments of problem areas, rather than broadcast applications, are commonly used along
roadsides.
What management techniques do counties use to maintain prairie vegetation on roadsides? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Counties integrate several different management techniques to
maintain a strong, healthy plant community. Techniques include 1) spot spraying perennial
weeds, 2) mowing of annual & biennial weeds to control seed production, and 3) periodic
burning to recycle nutrients & increase plant diversity.
What are the most commonly used herbicides for roadside use? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The most commonly used herbicides for roadsides are postemergence chemicals that selectively
control herbaceous, broadleaf plants without injuring grasses
What types of herbicides are registered for use in rights-of-way? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The majority of these products are either growth regulator herbicides or ALS-inhibiting
herbicides. These herbicides are classified according to their mode of action, or how they kill
plants.
List some common growth regulator herbicides - CORRECT ANSWER - Growth
regulator herbicides include the 1) phenoxy products (2,4-D; 2,4-DP; and MCPP), 2) dicamba
(Banvel), 3) triclopyr (Garlon), 4) picloram (Tordon) and 5) clopyralid (Stinger). To broaden the
spectrum of control, these herbicides are often tank-mixed or formulated as products that contain
more than one active ingredient (e.g., Crossbow is a combination of 2,4-D and triclopyr. The
, specific combination used should be based on weeds present, rather than indiscriminately adding
herbicides to the spray tank.
What are some characteristics of growth regulator herbicides? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Most of these herbicides are rapidly degraded in the soil; thus, they provide little residual
control. Only weeds that are established at the time of application will be controlled. All of the
growth regulator herbicides are translocated within the plant, making them effective for both
annual & perennial weeds.
List some common ALS-inhibiting herbicides - CORRECT ANSWER - ALS is an enzyme
involved in the synthesis of specific amino acids in plants. 1) Sulfrometuron (Oust) and 2)
chlorsulfuron (Telar) are the most common ALS-inhibitors used on roadsides for broadleaf
control. Certain perennial grasses, including tall fescue & smooth brome, have a relatively low
tolerance to these chemicals & may be injured under certain conditions, follow label rates
carefully. Plateau (Imazapic) and Journey (Imazapic & glyphosate) are other ALS-inhibitors;
Plateau is unique in that it is safe to use on native grass & wildflower plantings.
What are the best times for applications? - CORRECT ANSWER - Generally , herbicides
are most effective when applied to actively growing plants, applications should be avoided
during hot, dry periods of midsummer.
ANNUAL weeds, such as velvetleaf & pigweed, are easiest to control early in the spring while
they are still small.
Musk thistle, common mullen, & other BIENNIALS should be treated in the fall or early spring
while they are still in the rosette stage. Biennials become fairly tolerant to most herbicides once
the flower stalk begins to elongate.
Optimum control of PERENNIALS, such as Canada thistle & field bindweed, can often be
achieved with applications made while the plant is in early bloom. Two applications of a
herbicide may be required to provide effective control of some perennials.
Why should you be especially careful treating roadsides with selective herbicides? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The ability of the phenoxy & other selective herbicides to selectively control
broadleaf weeds in grass areas makes them especially useful along roadsides. However, the
herbicides can cause severe injury to nearby nontarget plants if applied carelessly. Precautions
must be taken to prevent physical drift or volatilization from carrying the herbicide off the target
site.
Way (Category 6) UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORECT Answers
Who's Responsible? - CORRECT ANSWER - An applicator is responsible for any
damage to private or public property resulting from careless application or misuse of herbicides
What are roadside management objectives? - CORRECT ANSWER - The current goal of
many roadside management programs is to 1) control only those plants listed as noxious weeds
or 2) plants that interfere with the vision of motorists, 3) inhibit the flow of water through
drainage ditches, 4) pose a fire hazard, or 5) interfere with activities of humans in other manners.
Spot treatments of problem areas, rather than broadcast applications, are commonly used along
roadsides.
What management techniques do counties use to maintain prairie vegetation on roadsides? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Counties integrate several different management techniques to
maintain a strong, healthy plant community. Techniques include 1) spot spraying perennial
weeds, 2) mowing of annual & biennial weeds to control seed production, and 3) periodic
burning to recycle nutrients & increase plant diversity.
What are the most commonly used herbicides for roadside use? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The most commonly used herbicides for roadsides are postemergence chemicals that selectively
control herbaceous, broadleaf plants without injuring grasses
What types of herbicides are registered for use in rights-of-way? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The majority of these products are either growth regulator herbicides or ALS-inhibiting
herbicides. These herbicides are classified according to their mode of action, or how they kill
plants.
List some common growth regulator herbicides - CORRECT ANSWER - Growth
regulator herbicides include the 1) phenoxy products (2,4-D; 2,4-DP; and MCPP), 2) dicamba
(Banvel), 3) triclopyr (Garlon), 4) picloram (Tordon) and 5) clopyralid (Stinger). To broaden the
spectrum of control, these herbicides are often tank-mixed or formulated as products that contain
more than one active ingredient (e.g., Crossbow is a combination of 2,4-D and triclopyr. The
, specific combination used should be based on weeds present, rather than indiscriminately adding
herbicides to the spray tank.
What are some characteristics of growth regulator herbicides? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Most of these herbicides are rapidly degraded in the soil; thus, they provide little residual
control. Only weeds that are established at the time of application will be controlled. All of the
growth regulator herbicides are translocated within the plant, making them effective for both
annual & perennial weeds.
List some common ALS-inhibiting herbicides - CORRECT ANSWER - ALS is an enzyme
involved in the synthesis of specific amino acids in plants. 1) Sulfrometuron (Oust) and 2)
chlorsulfuron (Telar) are the most common ALS-inhibitors used on roadsides for broadleaf
control. Certain perennial grasses, including tall fescue & smooth brome, have a relatively low
tolerance to these chemicals & may be injured under certain conditions, follow label rates
carefully. Plateau (Imazapic) and Journey (Imazapic & glyphosate) are other ALS-inhibitors;
Plateau is unique in that it is safe to use on native grass & wildflower plantings.
What are the best times for applications? - CORRECT ANSWER - Generally , herbicides
are most effective when applied to actively growing plants, applications should be avoided
during hot, dry periods of midsummer.
ANNUAL weeds, such as velvetleaf & pigweed, are easiest to control early in the spring while
they are still small.
Musk thistle, common mullen, & other BIENNIALS should be treated in the fall or early spring
while they are still in the rosette stage. Biennials become fairly tolerant to most herbicides once
the flower stalk begins to elongate.
Optimum control of PERENNIALS, such as Canada thistle & field bindweed, can often be
achieved with applications made while the plant is in early bloom. Two applications of a
herbicide may be required to provide effective control of some perennials.
Why should you be especially careful treating roadsides with selective herbicides? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The ability of the phenoxy & other selective herbicides to selectively control
broadleaf weeds in grass areas makes them especially useful along roadsides. However, the
herbicides can cause severe injury to nearby nontarget plants if applied carelessly. Precautions
must be taken to prevent physical drift or volatilization from carrying the herbicide off the target
site.
