Which action reduces the chance of pesticide drift?

Which action reduces the chance of pesticide drift?

• A. Using a nozzle with extra coarse droplets
• B. Using ASABE rate nozzles
• C. Using a very high spray pressure
• D. Applying only under calm wind conditions

Answer: (A)

Droplet size is the key factor that controls how much spray can drift. Larger droplets have more mass and settle to the ground faster, making them less likely to be carried off-target by wind. Using a nozzle that produces extra coarse droplets shifts the spray toward those larger droplets, which reliably reduces drift across common field conditions. Other options either don’t target drift as directly or can even worsen it. Rate nozzles help control how much product is applied but don’t inherently reduce drift. Very high spray pressure creates finer droplets that are more prone to drift. Applying only under calm wind conditions helps—when winds are truly still—but isn’t always practical or predictable.

Droplet size is the key factor that controls how much spray can drift. Larger droplets have more mass and settle to the ground faster, making them less likely to be carried off-target by wind. Using a nozzle that produces extra coarse droplets shifts the spray toward those larger droplets, which reliably reduces drift across common field conditions.

Other options either don’t target drift as directly or can even worsen it. Rate nozzles help control how much product is applied but don’t inherently reduce drift. Very high spray pressure creates finer droplets that are more prone to drift. Applying only under calm wind conditions helps—when winds are truly still—but isn’t always practical or predictable.