What is the purpose of maintaining a buffer zone in pesticide applications?

• A. Buffers have no effect on drift
• B. Maintain buffer zones between treated areas and non-target vegetation
• C. Increase application rate near buffers
• D. Eliminate buffers to speed up spraying

Answer: (B)

Maintaining a buffer zone keeps a safe distance between where you apply pesticide and areas with non-target vegetation or other sensitive resources. This distance helps prevent drift, reducing the chance that spray particles deposit on neighboring crops, ornamental plants, waterways, wildlife habitat, or people. The pesticide label specifies the required buffer distance, and following it during spraying is a key safety and environmental protection step.

The other ideas miss the point: buffers do reduce drift, so saying they have no effect isn’t correct; increasing the application rate near buffers would increase the risk of off-target movement and is not allowed by label requirements; and eliminating buffers would raise drift risk and violate label and safety practices.