Adjuvants not compatible with pesticides may cause which outcome?

• A. Injury to the desired plant
• B. Increased crop yield
• C. Instant pesticide neutralization
• D. No effect on the treated area

Answer: (A)

Adjuvants change how a pesticide behaves on plant surfaces, but they must be compatible with the pesticide and the crop. When an adjuvant isn’t compatible, it can alter the active ingredient’s penetration, spread, or stability, or it can react with the pesticide itself. That can cause phytotoxic effects—leaf burn, spotting, or other injury to the plant. So the expected outcome of using an incompatible adjuvant is injury to the treated plant. Increased yield or no effect isn’t typically produced by incompatibility, and instant neutralization isn’t the usual result unless a specific interaction occurs.