Which factor does NOT affect drift during pesticide application?

The correct answer is that the type of pesticide used does not directly affect drift during pesticide application. Drift refers to the unintentional movement of pesticide particles away from the target area. While the chemical properties of a pesticide, such as volatility or particle size, can influence how it behaves during application, the term "type" in this context suggests that the category of pesticide does not inherently change the drift potential itself.

Factors such as the speed of application equipment, the distance between nozzles and the target surface, and air movement (wind) are all critical in determining how far the pesticide may travel away from its intended application site. For instance, faster application speeds can lead to smaller droplets being produced, which are more susceptible to wind drift. Similarly, greater distances between nozzles and the target can also increase the likelihood of drift occurring due to the longer time the droplets are in the air. Additionally, wind can disperse pesticide droplets, pushing them away from the intended area.

Thus, while various attributes of the pesticide might influence its behavior post-application, the type of pesticide itself does not constitute a factor that affects the drift during the actual application process.