What is the purpose of pesticide drift testing or field drift tests, and are they required by NJ?

• A. They are required by NJ for every pesticide application.
• B. They assess drift potential and help optimize nozzle and pressure; not required for every application.
• C. They are optional only for greenhouse use.
• D. They guarantee zero drift.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that drift testing is about measuring and understanding how much pesticide can move off-target under field conditions and using that information to set spray parameters that minimize off-target movement. These tests help you optimize equipment and settings—like nozzle type and size, spray pressure, and droplet size—to reduce drift and improve deposition on the intended target.

In New Jersey, drift testing is not required for every pesticide application. There isn’t a universal mandate that you must perform drift tests for every spray, though you should follow label directions and best practices that aim to minimize drift. It’s also important to recognize that drift testing cannot guarantee zero drift—many factors, such as wind, temperature, humidity, nozzle wear, and sprayer speed, influence drift even with careful optimization.

So, drift testing serves to assess drift potential and guide adjustments to reduce off-target movement, but it is not a blanket requirement for all applications in NJ.