If the spray output of an aircraft remains constant while increasing speed, how does this impact pesticide distribution?

When the spray output of an aircraft remains constant while the speed of the aircraft increases, the distribution of pesticide is affected significantly. As speed increases without a corresponding increase in spray output, the volume of pesticide applied over a given area is reduced. This can lead to uneven application and, more importantly, increases the risk of drift. Drift refers to the unintentional movement of pesticide away from the target area, often due to wind or other environmental factors.

The higher speed can cause the droplets to be carried further by the wind, moving them away from the intended application zone. As a result, while you might cover a larger area with the same amount of pesticide, the actual effectiveness of the application decreases due to the risk of drift and potential pesticide loss to unintended areas, which can lead to environmental concerns and pest resistance issues. This highlights the importance of managing flight speed and spray output carefully to optimize pesticide application while minimizing drift.