Which practice can help minimize drift during aerial applications?

Using larger droplet sizes is an effective practice for minimizing drift during aerial applications. When larger droplets are produced during pesticide application, they are less susceptible to wind and other environmental factors that can cause them to drift away from the target area. Smaller droplets can be more easily carried by air currents, resulting in drift that may affect non-target areas or sensitive crops.

In aerial applications, managing droplet size is crucial. Larger droplets not only settle more quickly to the ground but also reduce the surface area that is exposed to the wind. This makes it less likely that they will be carried away from the intended application site. Hence, selecting appropriate nozzle types and settings that produce larger droplets is a key strategy in effective aerial pesticide application.

Other practices, while they might influence certain aspects of application, do not specifically address drift in the same way that enlarging droplet size does. For instance, applying pesticides at higher altitudes may allow for broader coverage but does not control drift effectively. Maximizing flight speed can actually exacerbate drift due to increased wind velocity around the aircraft. Operating in low humidity could lead to increased evaporation of smaller droplets, potentially resulting in less effective applications and more drift. Therefore, focusing on larger droplet sizes is the most direct and effective