IOWA 3OT PESTICIDE TEST PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Re-entry interval - ✔✔listed on product label about when it is safe to be in area, or
when spray has dried.
✔✔List three leaf arrangements on ornamental plants - ✔✔Alternate - leaf occurs singly
per plant node and the leaves alternate sides along the stem
Opposite - having leaves arise from the same node, on opposite sides of the stem
Whorled - where three or more leaves, petals, or other place organs arise from the
same node
✔✔Ornamental plant - ✔✔one that is grown for the purpose of adding to or improving
the beauty of a landscape site.
✔✔Identifying plant material - ✔✔Plant form and size
Foliage character - deciduous or evergreen
Leaf, bud, or branch arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Whorled
Type of leaf - simple, compound
Leaf margin - entire, toothed, lobed, etc
Leaf shape - oval, round, linear, etc
Twig characteristics - plain, thorns, etc
Bark characteristics - smooth, plated, diamond patterned, etc
✔✔Outline the factors involved in matching a plant to the site - ✔✔"The right plant in the
right site"
Plant hardiness
Plant is hardy if it can tolerate the lowest average winter temperatures occurring in a
specific zone.
Most of Iowa is zoned in 5a, some 5b in south and NW is 4b.
Environmental microclimates
Conditions in their immediate vicinity
Under eaves of buildings, south side of building, hilltop, under tree, etc.
,Soil moisture and drainage
Amount of moisture a site receives and the speed by which the moisture drains from the
site.
Frequent heavy rain, slow drainage reduces oxygen levels for roots, etc
Soil pH
pH is the relative concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in the soil
Availability of plant nutrients in soil is affected by soil pH.
Most soils in iowa have pH between 5.5 - 7.5
Woody ornamentals grow best at pH 6-7
Bedding plants from 5.5 - 6.5
Light exposure
Ornamental plants vary in the amount of sunlight they require each day.
Full sun plants must have at least 6 hours of direct sunlight
Shade loving plants can only tolerate early morning sunlight.
Can produce pest problems if not in proper site
Host plant resistance
Selecting common pest resistant plants could be right for the site.
✔✔Describe why it is important to inspect incoming nursery stock - ✔✔Could lead to
pest problems if nursery stock is infected
Should be healthy and free of pests
✔✔Describe how to inspect incoming nursery stock - ✔✔Closely examine leaves,
branches, and stems or trunk for presence of pest signs and symptoms.
Remove container and inspect visible roots - should be firm and straight.
Should not have been neglected or stored under stressful conditions for extended
periods
Purchase short, stocky plants with dark green foliage]
No broken branches, etc
✔✔Bare-root stock - ✔✔Grown in field conditions and dug when plant is dormant.
✔✔Balled and burlapped - ✔✔Plants have been grown in field nursery rows, dug with
the soil ball intact, wrapped in burlap, and tied with twine.
✔✔Container grown - ✔✔Grown in plastic pots for a year or longer.
✔✔Discuss use of mulch for ornamental plantings - ✔✔Use of mulch reduces stress on
ornamental plants by conserving moisture, moderating soil temperatures, and
minimizing competition from weeds
Organic mulch contributes to plant growth by releasing nutrients
, Depth of 2-4 inches of mulch is adequate in preventing most weed seeds from
germinating
Extend mulch to edge of canopy dripline if possible
✔✔List the main equipment pieces that damage ornamentals - ✔✔Lawn mowers and
string trimmers are the main pieces of equipment that damage ornamental plants
Site of injury is usually at the lower trunk or stems
Digging trenches can also damage roots
✔✔Hardened off - ✔✔acclimating indoor grown plants to being fully outside. Gradual
exposure to sunlight.
✔✔Best time to plant trees and shrubs is - ✔✔early spring before new growth. Second
best is fall.
✔✔Bare root must be planted in - ✔✔spring
✔✔container grown and B&B can be planted - ✔✔anytime
✔✔Water drainage (percolation) can be checked by - ✔✔digging a hole and filling with
water. Referred to as perk test. If it does not drain in 2 hours, it is inadequate spot.
✔✔Trunk flare for B&B planting should be - ✔✔at or slightly above ground line.
✔✔Abiotic - ✔✔Those associated with non-living factors that can affect the plant.
May be caused by physical, environmental, mechanical, or chemical factors.
Three general characteristics:
Symptoms can be displayed by different species of plants when related to a recent
weather event or stimuli at the same time. Ex. deicing salt injury
Physical evidence generally not displayed on the plant. Ex. desiccating winter winds.
Symptoms do not move from one affected plant to another nearby unaffected plant. Ex.
herbicide on one plant but not the other.
Abiotic factors can weaken plants and make them more susceptible to insects and
pathogens.
✔✔Biotic - ✔✔Fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and other plant pathogens cause
biotic diseases.
In Iowa, the most frequent biotic diseases of trees and woody ornamentals are fungal
diseases.
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Re-entry interval - ✔✔listed on product label about when it is safe to be in area, or
when spray has dried.
✔✔List three leaf arrangements on ornamental plants - ✔✔Alternate - leaf occurs singly
per plant node and the leaves alternate sides along the stem
Opposite - having leaves arise from the same node, on opposite sides of the stem
Whorled - where three or more leaves, petals, or other place organs arise from the
same node
✔✔Ornamental plant - ✔✔one that is grown for the purpose of adding to or improving
the beauty of a landscape site.
✔✔Identifying plant material - ✔✔Plant form and size
Foliage character - deciduous or evergreen
Leaf, bud, or branch arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Whorled
Type of leaf - simple, compound
Leaf margin - entire, toothed, lobed, etc
Leaf shape - oval, round, linear, etc
Twig characteristics - plain, thorns, etc
Bark characteristics - smooth, plated, diamond patterned, etc
✔✔Outline the factors involved in matching a plant to the site - ✔✔"The right plant in the
right site"
Plant hardiness
Plant is hardy if it can tolerate the lowest average winter temperatures occurring in a
specific zone.
Most of Iowa is zoned in 5a, some 5b in south and NW is 4b.
Environmental microclimates
Conditions in their immediate vicinity
Under eaves of buildings, south side of building, hilltop, under tree, etc.
,Soil moisture and drainage
Amount of moisture a site receives and the speed by which the moisture drains from the
site.
Frequent heavy rain, slow drainage reduces oxygen levels for roots, etc
Soil pH
pH is the relative concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in the soil
Availability of plant nutrients in soil is affected by soil pH.
Most soils in iowa have pH between 5.5 - 7.5
Woody ornamentals grow best at pH 6-7
Bedding plants from 5.5 - 6.5
Light exposure
Ornamental plants vary in the amount of sunlight they require each day.
Full sun plants must have at least 6 hours of direct sunlight
Shade loving plants can only tolerate early morning sunlight.
Can produce pest problems if not in proper site
Host plant resistance
Selecting common pest resistant plants could be right for the site.
✔✔Describe why it is important to inspect incoming nursery stock - ✔✔Could lead to
pest problems if nursery stock is infected
Should be healthy and free of pests
✔✔Describe how to inspect incoming nursery stock - ✔✔Closely examine leaves,
branches, and stems or trunk for presence of pest signs and symptoms.
Remove container and inspect visible roots - should be firm and straight.
Should not have been neglected or stored under stressful conditions for extended
periods
Purchase short, stocky plants with dark green foliage]
No broken branches, etc
✔✔Bare-root stock - ✔✔Grown in field conditions and dug when plant is dormant.
✔✔Balled and burlapped - ✔✔Plants have been grown in field nursery rows, dug with
the soil ball intact, wrapped in burlap, and tied with twine.
✔✔Container grown - ✔✔Grown in plastic pots for a year or longer.
✔✔Discuss use of mulch for ornamental plantings - ✔✔Use of mulch reduces stress on
ornamental plants by conserving moisture, moderating soil temperatures, and
minimizing competition from weeds
Organic mulch contributes to plant growth by releasing nutrients
, Depth of 2-4 inches of mulch is adequate in preventing most weed seeds from
germinating
Extend mulch to edge of canopy dripline if possible
✔✔List the main equipment pieces that damage ornamentals - ✔✔Lawn mowers and
string trimmers are the main pieces of equipment that damage ornamental plants
Site of injury is usually at the lower trunk or stems
Digging trenches can also damage roots
✔✔Hardened off - ✔✔acclimating indoor grown plants to being fully outside. Gradual
exposure to sunlight.
✔✔Best time to plant trees and shrubs is - ✔✔early spring before new growth. Second
best is fall.
✔✔Bare root must be planted in - ✔✔spring
✔✔container grown and B&B can be planted - ✔✔anytime
✔✔Water drainage (percolation) can be checked by - ✔✔digging a hole and filling with
water. Referred to as perk test. If it does not drain in 2 hours, it is inadequate spot.
✔✔Trunk flare for B&B planting should be - ✔✔at or slightly above ground line.
✔✔Abiotic - ✔✔Those associated with non-living factors that can affect the plant.
May be caused by physical, environmental, mechanical, or chemical factors.
Three general characteristics:
Symptoms can be displayed by different species of plants when related to a recent
weather event or stimuli at the same time. Ex. deicing salt injury
Physical evidence generally not displayed on the plant. Ex. desiccating winter winds.
Symptoms do not move from one affected plant to another nearby unaffected plant. Ex.
herbicide on one plant but not the other.
Abiotic factors can weaken plants and make them more susceptible to insects and
pathogens.
✔✔Biotic - ✔✔Fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and other plant pathogens cause
biotic diseases.
In Iowa, the most frequent biotic diseases of trees and woody ornamentals are fungal
diseases.
