WISCONSIN PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TEST 2025
COMMERCIAL CATEGORY 6.0 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS. GENUINELY PASSED.
What determines whether a given plant is a weed? >>CORRECT ANS>>A weed is any unwanted
plant
What are the two main goals of weed management? >>CORRECT ANS>>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 >>CORRECT
ANS>>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 >>CORRECT
ANS>>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?
>>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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?
>>CORRECT ANS>>Soil organic matter and clay particles can adsorb soil-applied herbicides,
meaning more 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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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?
>>CORRECT ANS>>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". >>CORRECT ANS>>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.
What is the difference between organic and inorganic? >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT
ANS>>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: >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT
ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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: >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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.
Which formulations applied as liquids do the following: form suspensions or solutions when
diluted, require agitation in the spray tank after mixing, tend to clog nozzles, are abrasive or may
cause sprayer parts to deteriorate, and are likely to cause phytotoxicity. >>CORRECT
ANS>>Emulsifiable concentrates form milky suspensions and require minimal agitation to keep the
suspension uniformly mixed. Water-soluble concentrates and soluble powders are both true
solutions in water and are non abrasive. Dry Flowables form a suspension in water and require
some agitation in the spray tank, they are abrasive to sprayer components. Flowables or
suspension concentrates are not soluble in water and they form suspensions that require
moderate agitation, but they seldom clog spray nozzles. Granules are usually applied as a solid and
are nearly always used to treat soil and release the active ingredient slowly.
What are the health concerns associated with different formulations? >>CORRECT
ANS>>Emulsifiers are easily absorbed through the skin and contain a very high concentration of
active ingredients. Soluble powders pose the greatest risk when
COMMERCIAL CATEGORY 6.0 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS. GENUINELY PASSED.
What determines whether a given plant is a weed? >>CORRECT ANS>>A weed is any unwanted
plant
What are the two main goals of weed management? >>CORRECT ANS>>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 >>CORRECT
ANS>>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 >>CORRECT
ANS>>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?
>>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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?
>>CORRECT ANS>>Soil organic matter and clay particles can adsorb soil-applied herbicides,
meaning more 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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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?
>>CORRECT ANS>>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". >>CORRECT ANS>>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.
What is the difference between organic and inorganic? >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT
ANS>>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: >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT
ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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: >>CORRECT ANS>>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? >>CORRECT ANS>>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.
Which formulations applied as liquids do the following: form suspensions or solutions when
diluted, require agitation in the spray tank after mixing, tend to clog nozzles, are abrasive or may
cause sprayer parts to deteriorate, and are likely to cause phytotoxicity. >>CORRECT
ANS>>Emulsifiable concentrates form milky suspensions and require minimal agitation to keep the
suspension uniformly mixed. Water-soluble concentrates and soluble powders are both true
solutions in water and are non abrasive. Dry Flowables form a suspension in water and require
some agitation in the spray tank, they are abrasive to sprayer components. Flowables or
suspension concentrates are not soluble in water and they form suspensions that require
moderate agitation, but they seldom clog spray nozzles. Granules are usually applied as a solid and
are nearly always used to treat soil and release the active ingredient slowly.
What are the health concerns associated with different formulations? >>CORRECT
ANS>>Emulsifiers are easily absorbed through the skin and contain a very high concentration of
active ingredients. Soluble powders pose the greatest risk when
