What is a common symptom of Pendimethalin injury in corn and soybeans?

Pendimethalin is a pre-emergence herbicide commonly used in the management of annual grass and some broadleaf weeds in various crops, including corn and soybeans. One of the well-documented symptoms of injury caused by Pendimethalin is the manifestation of "short roots with thickened or clubbed tips." This symptom indicates a disruption in root development, which can significantly affect the plant's ability to uptake water and nutrients, ultimately impacting overall growth and yield.

The thickening or abnormal swelling of root tips is indicative of physiological stress in the plant, often owing to the herbicide's action on the root system during critical stages of growth. In essence, this symptom often points to the herbicide preventing normal root development, which would naturally lead to stunted growth and potential crop loss.

In contrast, other options might describe various plant stresses but do not specifically relate to Pendimethalin. For instance, inhibited root and shoot growth can occur due to numerous stressors, while red veins in leaves are typically associated with nutrient deficiencies or other environmental stresses. Increased absorption of herbicides isn't a symptom of injury, but rather the opposite of what occurs when a plant is affected by a given herbicide. Overall, the presence of short roots with