How to Manage Pests

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

Toxicities

Plants can be damaged by a number of toxic chemicals. Pollutants such as ozone may damage sensitive plants, causing leaves to die or become discolored.

Herbicides may cause plants to become spotted, develop necrotic areas, or become distorted. Glyphosate (Round up) acts rapidly with a yellowing or reddish purple discoloration developing on new growth. 2,4-D causes twisting of stems and distortion and crinkling of leaves.

An excess of minerals or nutrients can also cause damage. Plants may wilt, be stunted, become discolored, or appear scorched or brown around leaf margins.

Strawberry leaf margins injured by salt toxicity
Strawberry leaf margins injured by salt toxicity
Ammonia toxicity to lettuce
Ammonia toxicity to lettuce
Glyphosate injury to potato
Glyphosate injury to potato
Crinkling of potato leaves caused by 2,4-D
Crinkling of potato leaves caused by 2,4-D
Ozone injury to potato
Ozone injury to potato

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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