What is spray drift and name two factors that influence drift potential.

• A. Drift is off-target movement of spray droplets; factors include droplet size and nozzle type
• B. Drift is beneficial for coverage
• C. Drift is unaffected by wind speed
• D. Drift occurs only with air-assisted application

Answer: (A)

Spray drift is off-target movement of spray droplets during application. Two factors that influence drift potential are droplet size and nozzle type. Smaller, finer droplets are carried more easily by air currents, increasing the chance they will move away from the target and deposit elsewhere, whereas larger droplets tend to settle out more quickly and stay closer to the target. The nozzle type determines the droplet spectrum and spray pattern; some nozzles produce finer droplets and a more dispersed spray, which heightens drift risk, while others create coarser droplets that reduce drift. Drift is not beneficial for coverage, wind speed strongly affects it, and drift can occur with various application methods, not just air-assisted.