How does higher wind speed influence spray drift and what adjustments should be made?

• A. Decrease droplet size and spray when wind is strongest
• B. Use finer droplets and lower water volume
• C. Increase droplet size, use a coarser nozzle, and adjust timing
• D. Ignore wind and proceed as planned

Answer: (C)

High wind speeds increase spray drift because smaller, lighter droplets stay suspended in air longer and can be carried far from the target. To reduce drift when winds are higher, you want larger droplets that fall to the ground more quickly. That’s achieved by using a coarser nozzle, which produces bigger droplets, and by adjusting the timing to spray during calmer conditions or when wind is less gusty. In practice, this means planning applications for days with lower wind speeds and avoiding spraying during strong gusts or unstable weather. Fine droplets and higher water volume would actually raise drift risk, and ignoring wind is never advisable.