Which is NOT a factor affecting pesticide drift during application?

Pesticide drift is influenced by various environmental and application factors. Understanding these factors can help minimize the unintended spread of pesticides away from the target area.

The correct choice implies that soil moisture does not affect pesticide drift. This is because drift primarily concerns the airborne transport of pesticide droplets or vapors during application. Factors such as pesticide formulation influence how well the product adheres to surfaces and the droplet size produced during spraying. Air temperature and wind speed are also crucial because higher temperatures can increase volatility, while strong winds can carry droplets farther than intended.

Soil moisture, however, pertains more to the condition of the soil and the plant's ability to uptake water and nutrients. While it is important for overall plant health and can affect the efficacy of certain pesticides, it does not directly influence the atmospheric or airborne movement of pesticide particles during application, thus making it the factor that does not contribute to pesticide drift.