Louisiana Category 1 – Agricultural
Plant Pest Control Examination
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a pre-emergent
herbicide?
A. Kill established weeds
B. Prevent weed seeds from germinating
C. Fertilize the soil
D. Increase plant growth
B. Prevent weed seeds from germinating
Rationale: Pre-emergent herbicides are designed to prevent weed
seeds from germinating and establishing. They do not kill existing
weeds but create a chemical barrier in the soil.
, 2. What type of pest damage is indicated by chewed leaves with
irregular holes?
A. Nematodes
B. Insects
C. Fungal infection
D. Bacterial infection
B. Insects
Rationale: Chewed leaves with irregular holes are characteristic of
insect feeding, particularly by chewing insects such as caterpillars or
beetles.
3. Which of the following is a common symptom of nematode
infestation in plants?
A. Leaf curling and yellowing
B. Stem gall formation
C. Root knot formation
D. Powdery white coating
C. Root knot formation
Rationale: Nematodes, particularly root-knot nematodes, cause the
formation of swellings or galls on roots, which can impair water and
nutrient uptake.
, 4. Which of these is considered a selective herbicide?
A. Glyphosate
B. 2,4-D
C. Paraquat
D. Diquat
B. 2,4-D
Rationale: 2,4-D is selective, targeting broadleaf weeds while leaving
grasses relatively unharmed. Glyphosate and paraquat are non-
selective herbicides.
5. What is the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE)
for mixing concentrated pesticides?
A. Gloves and goggles only
B. Long-sleeved shirt and pants only
C. Gloves, goggles, respirator, and protective clothing
D. No PPE required if outdoors
C. Gloves, goggles, respirator, and protective clothing
Rationale: Handling concentrated pesticides requires full PPE to
prevent chemical exposure through skin, eyes, or inhalation, as
recommended by label instructions.
6. Which of the following insects is classified as a piercing-sucking
pest?
, A. Caterpillars
B. Aphids
C. Beetles
D. Grasshoppers
B. Aphids
Rationale: Piercing-sucking insects like aphids use specialized
mouthparts to extract sap from plants, unlike chewing insects which
consume plant tissue.
7. The term "IPM" stands for:
A. Immediate Pest Management
B. Integrated Pest Management
C. Insect Population Monitoring
D. Intensive Plant Maintenance
B. Integrated Pest Management
Rationale: IPM is a strategy that combines multiple pest control
methods—cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical—to manage
pests in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner.
8. Which of the following is a symptom of a fungal leaf disease?
A. Wilting and stunted growth
B. Leaf spots or lesions
Plant Pest Control Examination
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a pre-emergent
herbicide?
A. Kill established weeds
B. Prevent weed seeds from germinating
C. Fertilize the soil
D. Increase plant growth
B. Prevent weed seeds from germinating
Rationale: Pre-emergent herbicides are designed to prevent weed
seeds from germinating and establishing. They do not kill existing
weeds but create a chemical barrier in the soil.
, 2. What type of pest damage is indicated by chewed leaves with
irregular holes?
A. Nematodes
B. Insects
C. Fungal infection
D. Bacterial infection
B. Insects
Rationale: Chewed leaves with irregular holes are characteristic of
insect feeding, particularly by chewing insects such as caterpillars or
beetles.
3. Which of the following is a common symptom of nematode
infestation in plants?
A. Leaf curling and yellowing
B. Stem gall formation
C. Root knot formation
D. Powdery white coating
C. Root knot formation
Rationale: Nematodes, particularly root-knot nematodes, cause the
formation of swellings or galls on roots, which can impair water and
nutrient uptake.
, 4. Which of these is considered a selective herbicide?
A. Glyphosate
B. 2,4-D
C. Paraquat
D. Diquat
B. 2,4-D
Rationale: 2,4-D is selective, targeting broadleaf weeds while leaving
grasses relatively unharmed. Glyphosate and paraquat are non-
selective herbicides.
5. What is the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE)
for mixing concentrated pesticides?
A. Gloves and goggles only
B. Long-sleeved shirt and pants only
C. Gloves, goggles, respirator, and protective clothing
D. No PPE required if outdoors
C. Gloves, goggles, respirator, and protective clothing
Rationale: Handling concentrated pesticides requires full PPE to
prevent chemical exposure through skin, eyes, or inhalation, as
recommended by label instructions.
6. Which of the following insects is classified as a piercing-sucking
pest?
, A. Caterpillars
B. Aphids
C. Beetles
D. Grasshoppers
B. Aphids
Rationale: Piercing-sucking insects like aphids use specialized
mouthparts to extract sap from plants, unlike chewing insects which
consume plant tissue.
7. The term "IPM" stands for:
A. Immediate Pest Management
B. Integrated Pest Management
C. Insect Population Monitoring
D. Intensive Plant Maintenance
B. Integrated Pest Management
Rationale: IPM is a strategy that combines multiple pest control
methods—cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical—to manage
pests in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner.
8. Which of the following is a symptom of a fungal leaf disease?
A. Wilting and stunted growth
B. Leaf spots or lesions
