Pesticide Application Technology: Research and Development and the Growth of the Industry

The application of pesticides and other pest control products is a complex mechanical process with the desired result being a complex biological response. By nature, the materials applied are biologically active; therefore, their responsible use requires not only efficient mechanical systems but also design attributes to protect non-targets such as sensitive environmental areas, human and animal habitat, non-targeted crops, application workers, and natural organisms. Improved vehicles, atomization devices, analytical methods such as those for detection of spray drift and droplet size measurement, and on-board electronic sensing and control systems have been developed to address these needs. This article presents historical background on the development of the industry and reviews the research and development of pesticide application in the western U.S., with particular emphasis on large-scale, irrigated, and specialty crops and the over 60 continuous years of work at the University of California, Davis.