Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 22 ISSUE 3
Written by Cătălin Viorel POPESCU, Mirela PARASCHIVU, Gheorghe MATEI, Călin SĂLCEANU, Elena ROȘCULETE

Drifting is a global issue worldwide and consists in the application of crop protection products or other sprayed materials away from the target area, leading to substance loss, possible damage to nearby crops and plants and pollution of local surface waters. Without the use of anti-drift agents, drift-reducing nozzles or other drift-reducing techniques, spraying fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides in general would be ineffective. Thus, crop protection effect is reduced and waste, which can result in lower incomes for farmers and higher costs for food consumers. Concrete solutions to reduce drifting and waste of crop protection products are necessary and require focus on specific particularities. The present research should increase the interest for multifaced solutions to reduce drifting. In this light the purpose of this review considers the most important data and relevant literature on this topic in order to offer significant insights and to identify knowledge gaps within literature. Thus, short- and long-term solutions refer to proper identification of the best agents that can be used for anti-drift technology. Without the use of anti-drift agents, drift-reducing nozzles or other drift-reducing techniques, spraying fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides in general would be ineffective. The anti-drift market is at a very early stage due to the lack of user education and lack of high-quality research.

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