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Phytotoxic

FYE-toh-TOK-sik
🦋 Ecology●● Intermediate

Also known as: plant toxicity

Phytotoxicity can result from excessive fertilizer salts, herbicide drift, improper pesticide application, or environmental contaminants. Symptoms include leaf burn, necrosis, chlorosis, and stunted growth. Common phytotoxic situations include applying neem oil in direct sun (causes leaf burn), using pressure-treated lumber containing copper near roots, and over-applying copper fungicide.

Etymology

Greek phyton (plant) + toxikon (poison)

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