What does spray drift refer to?

Spray drift is defined as the movement of airborne spray away from the desired application area, which can occur during or shortly after pesticide application. This movement can be caused by various factors, including wind speed, temperature inversions, and the size of the spray droplets. Understanding spray drift is crucial for ensuring that the applied pesticides remain effective in the target area while minimizing potential harm to non-target areas, such as neighboring crops, waterways, or wildlife habitats.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe spray drift. Concentration of spray in a target area pertains to the effective application and distribution of the pesticide where it is intended to work, rather than its unintended movement. Direct application with minimal movement suggests a scenario where the pesticide is applied precisely to the target area, avoiding drift altogether. Lastly, a technique to enhance absorption deals with improving the uptake of pesticide by the target organism, which is unrelated to the concept of movement away from the intended application site.