Which of the following describes plant injury resulting from a pesticide application to a plant?

• A. Bioaccumulation
• B. Phytotoxicity
• C. Residual
• D. Systemic

Answer: (B)

Phytotoxicity describes plant injury caused by a pesticide. When a chemical affects a plant, you might see symptoms like leaf scorch, yellowing (chlorosis), stunted growth, leaf deformation, or necrotic spots. This term specifically refers to damage to the plant itself from the pesticide application, rather than how the chemical behaves or persists.

Bioaccumulation would be about the chemical building up in an organism over time and through the food chain, not the immediate injury to the plant. Residual refers to the amount of chemical remaining after application, focusing on persistence rather than damage. Systemic describes how a pesticide moves within the plant from one part to another, not the injury itself.