Illinois Field Crop Applicators Practice Test

Which droplet size category poses the least risk of drift?

1. Medium

2. Coarse

3. Very Fine

4. Extremely Fine

The correct answer is: Coarse

Droplet size plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of pesticide application and in minimizing environmental risks such as drift. Coarse droplets are larger in size, which makes them less susceptible to wind movement during application. This reduced susceptibility to drift is significant because it minimizes the likelihood of pesticides moving off-target and affecting non-target areas such as neighboring crops, sensitive ecosystems, or residential areas. In contrast, very fine and extremely fine droplets are much smaller and can be easily carried away by even light winds, increasing the potential for drift and unintended application to non-target areas. Medium-sized droplets, while better than very fine or extremely fine droplets, still pose a higher risk of drift compared to coarse droplets. By using coarse droplets, applicators can achieve better control over where the pesticide is deposited, ensuring that it reaches its intended target while reducing the overall environmental impact of the application.