To avoid spray drift, pesticide applicators should be MOST aware of which factors?

• A. Droplet size and wind directions and speed
• B. Soil texture and irrigation rate
• C. Pesticide brand and price
• D. Time of day and color of spray

Answer: (A)

Spray drift is driven by how droplets move through the air after they leave the nozzle. The two most important factors are droplet size and wind conditions.

Smaller droplets are light and stay suspended in air longer, making them more likely to travel away from the target area and drift with the breeze. Larger droplets fall to the ground more quickly and are less prone to being carried by wind, reducing drift if used appropriately. Wind direction and speed determine where droplets will go: a crosswind can push droplets off target, and stronger winds generally increase drift distance.

So, to minimize drift, adjust nozzle selection and application settings to favor larger droplets where effective, and assess wind direction and speed before and during spraying. Other factors like soil texture or irrigation affect what happens after landing, not the airborne movement, and brand, price, or even time of day are far less directly related to drift control.