Oklahoma Applicators License Core Practice Exam

What are pesticide residues?

1. Pesticides that increase crop yield

2. Pesticides that remain in or on food or feed

3. Pesticides that are used in emergencies

4. Pesticides that enhance soil health

The correct answer is: Pesticides that remain in or on food or feed

Pesticide residues refer specifically to the chemical substances that remain on or in food or feed after the application of pesticides. These residues can occur due to the use of pesticides on crops during their cultivation or post-harvest treatments. The presence of these residues is significant in food safety and regulatory standards, influencing how and where pesticides can be used, as well as establishing maximum residue limits to ensure that food products are safe for consumption. The other options mention various aspects of pesticide use, such as enhancing crop yield or soil health, or being used in emergencies, but they do not specifically address the concept of residues. Yield enhancement and soil health improvements relate to the benefits of pesticide application, while emergency use pertains to the context in which pesticides may be applied. However, these do not relate to what pesticide residues are, which is fundamentally about the remnants left on agricultural products.