THE EFFECT OF DRIFT IN PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
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Szerzők: Cím: THE EFFECT OF DRIFT IN PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT DOI: https://doi.org/10.71066/FTTMK.2.21 Megjelent: 2026 |
ABSTRACT
Pesticides are widely used in agricultural production to enhance the quality and yield of agricultural products and/or to reduce losses caused by pests. In pesticide applications, it is desired to use small droplets for better coverage and uniform distribution. Therefore, in pest control, small droplets are generally more effective than large droplets. However, there is a problem with small droplets. This issue is referred to as drift. In pesticide applications, the movement of sprayed droplets outside the target due to air velocity is defined as drift. Factors affecting drift include meteorological factors as well as application equipment and methods, with tractor speed, spray pressure, and spray height having negative impacts on droplet drift. When drift occurs during pesticide applications, human health and the environment are negatively affected by the pesticide. Therefore, pesticide applications in pest control should be carried out very carefully. Variables affecting drift include the physical properties of the pesticide, droplet size, weather conditions, and pesticide application methods. Among these, the most important factor affecting drift is droplet diameter. In general, small-diameter droplets provide a smoother coverage area than large-diameter droplets. Small droplets (<100 mm) tend to drift due to their lower mass, as they fall to the ground more slowly, evaporate, and are more easily carried away even by light winds. In pesticide application methods, the speed of the tractor and the spraying height also affect drift. When the tractor's speed is higher, droplet drift increases. In studies conducted, to reduce drift during pesticide application, it is recommended that the distance between the spraying nozzle and the plant canopy should not exceed 50 cm, the wind speed should be <5 km/h, the tractor speed should be <7 km/h, and spraying should be done with large droplet sizes.
KEYWORDS
Agriculture, Droplets, Meteorological factors, Nozzle, Pest
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