Which factor is NOT a contributor to droplet size and drift effects?

Local soil conditions do not directly influence droplet size and drift effects during aerial application. While soil health and characteristics can have significant effects on crop management and pesticide effectiveness in the ground application context, the factors that affect droplet formation and dispersion during aerial application primarily include environmental conditions such as wind, humidity, and precipitation.

Wind plays a crucial role in drift, as it can carry droplets away from the target area. Humidity affects evaporation rates of droplets, which can change their size as they travel through the air. Rain can also impact drift and droplet size by causing droplets to merge or break apart, altering their potential for drift. In contrast, local soil conditions are more relevant to the issues of groundwater contamination and pesticide absorption but have no immediate effect on the physical properties of airborne droplets.