Which of the following is NOT a symptom of phytotoxicity?

• A. Death of rapidly growing succulent plant tissue
• B. Misshapen or distorted plants, fruits, or leaves
• C. Yellowing, wilting, or defoliation of just one or two branches
• D. Dead spots on leaves that are uniform color and go entirely through the leaf

Answer: (C)

Phytotoxicity is damage to plant tissue caused by chemicals such as pesticides or misapplied fertilizers. The injury tends to show up as patterns tied to exposure—new growth dying or curling, leaves that become misshapen or distorted, and spots of discoloration or necrosis that affect wide areas or multiple leaves. A pattern limited to just one or two branches, with yellowing, wilting, or defoliation confined to that small portion, is less typical of chemical injury and more suggestive of other stresses like localized water or nutrient issues, mechanical damage, or a disease affecting a specific area. So the symptoms described for that small branch pattern don’t fit phytotoxicity as a general rule, while the other listed symptoms align more closely with chemical injury to the plant.