- Symptoms: Phytotoxicity can result from the poor application of most pesticides. The application of such hormonal herbicides as 2.4-D too early in the crop cycle can cause leaf curling and deformed spikes (picture below at left); application near anthesis can cause sterility. Residues from the application of triazines (such as atrazine) to the crop preceding wheat can adversely affect wheat growth (middle picture below); symptoms are bleaching of the leaves followed by necrosis (picture below at right).
- Development: Damage results when chemicals are applied in excessive amounts, at the wrong growth stage, or to the wrong species.
- Importance: In small grain cereals, damage is generally limited; deformations seldom cause significant losses.
