Which action would NOT reduce drift?

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

Answer: (C)

Droplet drift happens when spray droplets are carried away by air currents, so the size of the droplets and the conditions during application largely determine how much drift occurs. Finer droplets are more easily picked up and carried by wind, while heavier, larger droplets tend to fall out of the air more quickly and deposit closer to the target.

Using a nozzle that produces extra coarse droplets creates larger droplets that are less likely to drift, because their greater mass makes them settle faster. ASABE rate nozzles help control the flow and often promote a droplet size distribution that favors reduced drift, by avoiding overly fine mist. Applying under calm weather minimizes wind movement, further reducing the chance that droplets will be moved off target.

In contrast, using a very high spray pressure tends to produce many finer droplets, which are more readily carried by wind and can travel farther from the target, increasing drift rather than reducing it.