Which practices help reduce drift before application?

• A. Use high pressure and very fine droplets to maximize coverage.
• B. Apply during peak wind to ensure quick drying.
• C. Lower pressure, proper nozzle selection, droplet size, drift-reducing nozzles, avoid inversions, and maintain buffer zones.
• D. Rely on adjuvants alone to reduce drift.

Answer: (C)

Drift reduction before application comes from controlling how the spray behaves in the air. Lowering spray pressure slows the droplets and tends to create larger droplets that settle more quickly, which reduces the amount that can be carried off-target. Choosing the right nozzle and droplet size helps produce a spray with fewer fine droplets that are more prone to drifting. Drift-reducing nozzles further cut drift potential by shaping the spray to produce coarser droplets and more consistent coverage. Avoid applying during temperature inversions or when the air near the ground is still, because droplets can remain suspended and drift with even small air movements. Maintaining buffer zones keeps the spray away from nearby non-target areas and sensitive sites. Put together, these practices address drift before the application starts.

Using high pressure with very fine droplets increases drift; applying during peak wind also raises drift risk; and relying on adjuvants alone won’t reliably prevent drift.