Pesticide Drift. II. Mist-Blower vs. Aerial Application of Sprays1

This experiment compares insecticidal drift resulting from a mist blower with an aerial application made simultaneously to alfalfa in late afternoon. Beneath target and at all distances downwind the mist blower resulted in greater drift. Target alfalfa had 127 and 111 ppm insecticide, and alfalfa ½ mile downwind had 0.27 and 0.14 ppm from the mist blower and plane, respectively. Glass-plate collections at 165,330, 660, and 1320 feet down-wind were in agreement with alfalfa residues. Total air borne insecticide collected at 165 and 330 feet downwind in ethylene glycol air scrubbers from the mist blower was 6 times that of the aerial application.