OREGON PESTICIDE APPLICATOR
LICENSE (PAL) RIGHT OF WAY
PRACTICE TEST WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Give three examples of weeds. - ANSWER-Three weeds mentioned in this manual
are Dalmatian toadflax, Scotch broom, and kochia. Many other weeds exist in the
Pacific Northwest.
Name four ways in which weeds spread - ANSWER-People, wind, water, and
animals all have the potential to spread weed seeds.
True or false: Weeds are more problematic in disturbed soils. - ANSWER-True.
Weeds typically are more problematic in disturbed areas, including areas where the
soil has been tilled.
Name three plant characteristics that generally can be used to distinguish
herbaceous broadleaf weeds from grassy weeds. - ANSWER-Broadleaf weeds have
the following characteristics: netlike leaf veins and growing points at the end of each
stem and in each leaf axil. In contrast, grass weeds have the following
characteristics: parallel leaf veins, fibrous root system, and a single growing point
that is located near the soil surface. Other differences between grasses and
broadleaf plants exist.
Name three summer annual weeds. - ANSWER-Green foxtail, yellow foxtail,
puncturevine, Russian thistle, crabgrass, kochia, and common lambsquarters are
mentioned in this manual. Any three of the above would be correct.
What is scouting, and what information should be recorded? - ANSWER-Scouting is
the process of routinely observing the right-of-way for weeds. The types of weeds
present should be recorded on a mile-by-mile basis. Any noxious weeds that might
require special control techniques should be recorded.
What is a threshold? - ANSWER-A threshold is the level of infestation at which
control practices are justified.
What are some drawbacks of mechanical control? - ANSWER-Hand-operated
methods of mechanical control can be labor-intensive, costly, and dangerous.
Mowing does not kill the plant roots, so regrowth is possible.
Give an example of biological control. - ANSWER-Planting Dominate Native Species
True or false: Using herbicides interferes with the goals of Integrated Vegetation
Management (IVM). - ANSWER-False. Chemicals can be used as part of an overall
IVM program.
, On which type of weeds are contact herbicides most effective? - ANSWER-Annual
weeds are more likely to be controlled by contact herbicides. Biennials and
perennials may be controlled by contact herbicides if they are sprayed in the
seedling stage. Complete coverage is required for best results when applying
contact herbicides to any type of weeds.
Name four basic components of soil that determine texture. - ANSWER-Sand, silt,
clay, and organic matter.
In which soil texture is leaching most likely to occur? - ANSWER-Sand
How can humidity change the effectiveness of an herbicide application? - ANSWER-
Low humidity can dry the herbicide droplets on the leaf surface before they have a
chance to penetrate the leaf. Also, plants that grow in dry climates typically have a
thicker wax layer, which can impede herbicide penetration.
What growth stage of plants generally is the easiest to control? - ANSWER-Seedling
growth stage.
Most herbicides are contact or translocated (circle one). - ANSWER-Most herbicides
are translocated.
How are translocated herbicides able to control weeds that regrow from underground
parts such as rhizomes or tubers? - ANSWER-In translocated herbicides, the
herbicide enters the plant through the foliage or roots and is transported to other
parts of the plant. In contrast, contact herbicides never reach these areas of the
plant, and the plant can resprout at a later date.
Describe the basic way growth regulators work to kill plants (mode of action). -
ANSWER-Growth regulators change the hormone balance and protein synthesis in
plants, thus causing the plant to grow abnormally.
Roundup (glyphosate) is in which major mode-of-action group? - ANSWER-Amino
acid synthesis inhibitors.
What property of 2,4-D makes it dangerous to apply on hot days? - ANSWER-2,4-D
has a high volatility. On hot days, the chemical can turn into vapor and damage
nearby sensitive vegetation.
Casoron is in which major mode-of-action group? - ANSWER-Seedling growth
inhibitor.
Name three active ingredients that are among those most likely to leach into
groundwater. - ANSWER-Many correct answers: tebuthiuron, picloram, bromacil,
etc.
When an herbicide kills one species of plant while not affecting another species, it is
called - ANSWER-Selective.
LICENSE (PAL) RIGHT OF WAY
PRACTICE TEST WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Give three examples of weeds. - ANSWER-Three weeds mentioned in this manual
are Dalmatian toadflax, Scotch broom, and kochia. Many other weeds exist in the
Pacific Northwest.
Name four ways in which weeds spread - ANSWER-People, wind, water, and
animals all have the potential to spread weed seeds.
True or false: Weeds are more problematic in disturbed soils. - ANSWER-True.
Weeds typically are more problematic in disturbed areas, including areas where the
soil has been tilled.
Name three plant characteristics that generally can be used to distinguish
herbaceous broadleaf weeds from grassy weeds. - ANSWER-Broadleaf weeds have
the following characteristics: netlike leaf veins and growing points at the end of each
stem and in each leaf axil. In contrast, grass weeds have the following
characteristics: parallel leaf veins, fibrous root system, and a single growing point
that is located near the soil surface. Other differences between grasses and
broadleaf plants exist.
Name three summer annual weeds. - ANSWER-Green foxtail, yellow foxtail,
puncturevine, Russian thistle, crabgrass, kochia, and common lambsquarters are
mentioned in this manual. Any three of the above would be correct.
What is scouting, and what information should be recorded? - ANSWER-Scouting is
the process of routinely observing the right-of-way for weeds. The types of weeds
present should be recorded on a mile-by-mile basis. Any noxious weeds that might
require special control techniques should be recorded.
What is a threshold? - ANSWER-A threshold is the level of infestation at which
control practices are justified.
What are some drawbacks of mechanical control? - ANSWER-Hand-operated
methods of mechanical control can be labor-intensive, costly, and dangerous.
Mowing does not kill the plant roots, so regrowth is possible.
Give an example of biological control. - ANSWER-Planting Dominate Native Species
True or false: Using herbicides interferes with the goals of Integrated Vegetation
Management (IVM). - ANSWER-False. Chemicals can be used as part of an overall
IVM program.
, On which type of weeds are contact herbicides most effective? - ANSWER-Annual
weeds are more likely to be controlled by contact herbicides. Biennials and
perennials may be controlled by contact herbicides if they are sprayed in the
seedling stage. Complete coverage is required for best results when applying
contact herbicides to any type of weeds.
Name four basic components of soil that determine texture. - ANSWER-Sand, silt,
clay, and organic matter.
In which soil texture is leaching most likely to occur? - ANSWER-Sand
How can humidity change the effectiveness of an herbicide application? - ANSWER-
Low humidity can dry the herbicide droplets on the leaf surface before they have a
chance to penetrate the leaf. Also, plants that grow in dry climates typically have a
thicker wax layer, which can impede herbicide penetration.
What growth stage of plants generally is the easiest to control? - ANSWER-Seedling
growth stage.
Most herbicides are contact or translocated (circle one). - ANSWER-Most herbicides
are translocated.
How are translocated herbicides able to control weeds that regrow from underground
parts such as rhizomes or tubers? - ANSWER-In translocated herbicides, the
herbicide enters the plant through the foliage or roots and is transported to other
parts of the plant. In contrast, contact herbicides never reach these areas of the
plant, and the plant can resprout at a later date.
Describe the basic way growth regulators work to kill plants (mode of action). -
ANSWER-Growth regulators change the hormone balance and protein synthesis in
plants, thus causing the plant to grow abnormally.
Roundup (glyphosate) is in which major mode-of-action group? - ANSWER-Amino
acid synthesis inhibitors.
What property of 2,4-D makes it dangerous to apply on hot days? - ANSWER-2,4-D
has a high volatility. On hot days, the chemical can turn into vapor and damage
nearby sensitive vegetation.
Casoron is in which major mode-of-action group? - ANSWER-Seedling growth
inhibitor.
Name three active ingredients that are among those most likely to leach into
groundwater. - ANSWER-Many correct answers: tebuthiuron, picloram, bromacil,
etc.
When an herbicide kills one species of plant while not affecting another species, it is
called - ANSWER-Selective.
