How does temperature affect aerial pesticide application?

Higher temperatures can increase evaporation rates, which is crucial to understand in the context of aerial pesticide application. When temperatures rise, the volatility of some pesticides may also increase, leading to more rapid evaporation into the air rather than remaining deposited on the target surfaces, such as crops or weeds. This can result in a number of issues, including decreased effectiveness of the pesticide, as less of it actually reaches the intended point of application.

In addition, higher evaporation rates may also contribute to drift, where the pesticide can be carried away by the wind, potentially affecting non-target areas and organisms. Thus, understanding temperature's role in evaporation rates helps applicators to make informed decisions about the timing of their applications to ensure effectiveness and minimize environmental impact.