What is a common risk associated with the use of aerial applicators?

A common risk associated with the use of aerial applicators is increased pesticide drift. Aerial application allows for quick and extensive coverage of crops, but it also comes with the potential for chemicals to be carried off-target by wind currents. This drift can lead to unintended exposure of nearby plants, wildlife, or bodies of water, raising concerns about the environmental impact, damage to adjacent crops, and potential health risks to humans and animals. Effective management strategies, including careful planning of application times and weather conditions, are crucial to minimize this risk and ensure that pesticides are applied efficiently and safely.

While increased crop yield, soil contamination, and improved pest resistance are all relevant concepts in agricultural practices, they do not directly describe the risks associated with aerial applicators in the same way that pesticide drift does. Increased crop yield may result from effective pest control, but it is not a risk. Soil contamination can occur through various means, but it is not a specific risk of aerial application methods themselves. Improved pest resistance might be a long-term outcome of pest management strategies, but it is not an immediate risk linked to the use of aerial applicators.