The nozzle orifice size when applying pesticide X by air at 60mph should not exceed _______.

The choice of 1/16" for the nozzle orifice size when applying pesticide X by air at a speed of 60 mph is appropriate because it balances the need to achieve effective coverage and deposition of the pesticide while minimizing drift. At higher application speeds, such as 60 mph, smaller nozzle sizes are recommended to create finer droplets that can be more accurately dispersed and are less likely to drift away from the target area.

Using a larger orifice, such as 1/8" or 1/4", could produce larger droplets, which may fall to the ground more quickly and potentially miss the intended application area. Moreover, larger droplets are more susceptible to wind drift, especially when flying at higher speeds, which could lead to off-target application and environmental contamination.

On the other hand, a nozzle size of 1/32" might produce droplets that are too small, leading to excessive drift and evaporation before reaching the target. Therefore, 1/16" strikes an effective balance, allowing for adequate coverage without amplifying the risks associated with drift or inadequate pesticide distribution.