What is meant by crop injury risk and how can it be minimized?

• A. Crop injury risk means risk of crop yield reduction due to weather; minimize by watering.
• B. Damage to the crop from the herbicide; minimize by using labeled crops, proper rates, and proper mixing.
• C. Pest damage; minimize by using higher rates.
• D. Equipment damage; minimize by better maintenance.

Answer: (B)

Crop injury risk is the potential for the herbicide to harm the crop itself. The best way to minimize it is to use products that are labeled for that specific crop, apply the labeled rate for that crop and growth stage, and mix according to the label so the tank mix is compatible. These steps address the main ways herbicides can injure crops—using an unlabeled crop, applying too high a rate, or creating harmful mixtures. Other options don’t target crop injury from herbicides; weather effects, pest damage, or equipment issues relate to different concerns.