Certified Arborist Practice Exam

What are materials sprayed on plants to reduce water loss through transpiration called?

1. Antifreeze

2. Antiseptics

3. Antitranspirants

4. Antioxidants

The correct answer is: Antitranspirants

The correct choice is antitranspirants because these substances are specifically designed to reduce transpiration, which is the process where water vapor is lost from the plant to the atmosphere. By forming a barrier on the plant's surface, antitranspirants help to minimize water loss, particularly in conditions where water conservation is important, such as during drought or heat stress. Antifreeze, while helpful in preventing freezing, does not address water loss. Antiseptics are used to kill or inhibit the growth of pathogens, with no direct relevance to moisture retention in plants. Antioxidants are compounds that combat oxidative stress in cells but do not play a role in managing water loss. Therefore, antitranspirants are the only substances within the provided options that specifically target the reduction of transpiration.