Texas Pesticide Applicator Exam

Texas Pesticide Applicator Exam (Latest Update 2025 / 2026) Test Guide Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct

Question:

The private applicator must decide what is the pest, if or when to treat and finally...

Answer:

Determine which combination of control methods will be most effective and return the greatest profit.

Question:

What plant disease symptoms are indicative of blight?

Answer:

Rapid discoloration and death of tissue over certain portions of the plant, usually resulting in death of leaves, flowers, and stems.

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Question:

Without the aid of a microscope, how can plant diseases be recognized? -

Name 3 factors required for an infection to occur:

Answer:

From the symptoms that appear in the field, such as leafspots, blights, wilts and sudden plant death.

• susceptible host

• presence of the organism

• favorable environment

Question:

Why are protectant fungicides used to prevent fruit rots?

Answer:

Fruit infected with a rot fungus is not edible, so initial infection must be prevented. Fungicides prevent spore germination and stop the infection process if it is applied evenly on the foliar surface. For example brown rot of peaches is caused by a fungus and is controlled by applying fungicides.

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Question:

What are nematodes? What potential harm can they cause to plants?

Answer:

Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that live in soil. Certain types are parasitic and feed on living plants, causing stunted, uneven growth and chlorotic foliage.

Question:

What is the difference between powdery mildew and downy mildew?

Answer:

Mildews are caused by fungi that infect cells on the leaf surface.

Powdery mildew is seen on ornamentals and vegetables, plants lose vigor and may die.

Downy mildew attacks squash, cantaloupe, and cucumbers and also corn and sorghum where infected leaves become stripped in appearance and may become sterile

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Question:

Besides chemical control, what methods may be used to prevent plant disease from occurring?

Answer:

Cultural practices such as crop rotation; planting disease-resistant varieties; certain land preparation practices.

Question:

Describe the life cycles of annual, biennial and perennial weeds- give

examples of each:

Answer:

Annuals- 1 year life cycle -winter varieties germinate in the fall (henbit, sowthistle); Summer varieties germinate in the spring (goosegrass, barnyardgrass)

Biennials 2 year life cycle- form basal leaves and tap root first year, flowers, matures, and dies the second year (common mullein)

Perennials: live for many years - divided into simple (dandelion) and creeping

varieties (purple nutsedge)

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