Injury or damage to a sensitive plant caused by chemical exposure is termed

• A. Phytotoxicity
• B. Pesticide
• C. Leaching
• D. Monitoring

Answer: (A)

Phytotoxicity describes the injury or damage that a plant experiences from exposure to a chemical. It specifically refers to the harmful effect a chemical—such as a pesticide or fertilizer—can have on a sensitive plant, producing symptoms like leaf burn, chlorosis, curling, or stunted growth. This term is used to distinguish between the chemical causing harm to the plant and the chemical itself, and it highlights why misapplications, drift, or incompatible tank mixes can injure desirable turfgrass. The other options don’t describe plant injury from chemicals: a pesticide is the chemical used to control pests, leaching is the movement of chemicals through soil, and monitoring is the act of observing conditions or results.