What is the most frequent cause of applying too much spray during a day of spraying with a low pressure, boom sprayer?

The most frequent cause of applying too much spray during a day of spraying with a low-pressure boom sprayer is changes in speed of travel. When an applicator alters their speed while spraying, it can significantly impact the rate at which the spray is applied. Depending on the calibration of the sprayer, an increase in speed may lead to a drop in the volume of spray applied over the target area, prompting the applicator to unintentionally adjust their settings to compensate. Conversely, if the applicator slows down, more spray may be delivered to the same area over time, resulting in excessive application.

It's crucial for applicators to maintain a consistent speed to ensure that the rate of pesticide application remains stable and within the recommended guidelines. This helps prevent over-application, which can result in environmental issues and may lead to phytotoxicity on non-target plants or residues that exceed safe levels.

Additionally, while factors like wind speed, faulty equipment, and inconsistent pesticide concentration can affect application rates, they are not as directly related to the frequently observed variations seen from changes in speed of travel. Wind may cause drift, faulty equipment could lead to malfunctions, and inconsistent concentrations might affect efficacy, but the speed of travel directly alters the volume applied in a more immediate and