Which practice constitutes a legal deviation from the label?

• A. Spot-applied at more than the labeled rate but less than the overall rate allowed for the site in total
• B. Applied for a pest species that is listed on the label, but the application site is not listed
• C. Applied in combination with fertilizers, unless the label specifically prohibits the mixture
• D. Applied with 2 gallons of water per acre when the label calls for 5 gallons per acre

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that label instructions govern every pesticide application, and deviations are only allowed if the label explicitly permits them. Rates, sites, and tank-mix restrictions are part of those instructions, and any change that isn’t allowed on the label is illegal.

Mixing a pesticide with fertilizers is the only scenario that's allowed without violating the label, as long as the label does not prohibit the mixture. If the label permits tank-mixing with fertilizers, you may do so and still be compliant—this is a legal deviation from a typical one-product application because the label itself allows it.

Exceeding the labeled rate in a spot, even if the total amount on the site stays under some overall limit, would violate the per-application rate specified on the label. Applying to a pest listed on the label but on a site not listed exceeds the label’s coverage and is not allowed. Using less water per acre than the label requires reduces coverage and is not permitted if a minimum spray volume is specified.

So, the only scenario that represents a permissible deviation is mixing with fertilizers when the label does not prohibit it.