Which of the following is NOT a factor in determining aerial application effectiveness?

In aerial application, the effectiveness of pesticide or fertilizer distribution is significantly influenced by environmental conditions and physical characteristics of the application area. Factors such as wind speed, humidity, and temperature directly impact how well the product is dispersed and retained in the target area.

Wind speed can affect the drift of the material being applied, potentially leading to less accurate application and reduced efficacy. Humidity can influence droplet size and evaporation rates, which are crucial for achieving the desired deposition on the target area. Temperature also plays a role by affecting both the viscosity of the applicator materials and the evaporation rate of the product, impacting its performance.

In contrast, soil type does not directly impact aerial application effectiveness because aerial spraying typically refers to the dispersal of products above the ground level. The actual interaction of those products with the soil happens after they have been deposited, which makes soil type a factor of more relevance to ground applications rather than aerial ones. Therefore, soil type is not a relevant consideration in the immediate context of evaluating the effectiveness of aerial applications.