QAL Laws & Regulation Practice Exam

What occurs when a systemic pesticide is applied to a plant or animal?

1. It only affects the area it is applied to

2. It dissipates quickly in the environment

3. It travels throughout the plant or animal

4. It becomes ineffective against pests

The correct answer is: It travels throughout the plant or animal

When a systemic pesticide is applied to a plant or animal, it is designed to be absorbed and then translocated throughout the organism. This means that instead of only affecting the area where it was initially applied, the systemic pesticide spreads internally, impacting various parts of the plant or animal. For example, when systemic pesticides are used on plants, they can move through the sap and affect the tissues, including parts that insects or pests may not directly contact. This internal movement allows the pesticide to provide more comprehensive protection against a range of pests that might feed on or infest the plant. In animals, systemic pesticides work in a similar fashion, entering the bloodstream and affecting the entire organism. This characteristic is crucial for the effective management of pests, as it enables the loss of productivity due to pest infestations to be minimized. The application of systemic pesticides can thus lead to better pest control outcomes than surface application methods, which only protect the treated area.