An Overview of Agricultural Spray Application

Agricultural spray application represents one of the largest real-world uses of engineered atomization, spanning ground, orchard, UAV, and manned aerial delivery systems. This presentation provides a high-level overview of these platforms with a primary focus on manned aerial application, where high-speed, low-altitude operations and complex airflow environments strongly influence droplet formation, breakup, and transport. Key nozzle families—including hydraulic, air-induction, rotary, and UAV-specific designs—as well as the formulation characteristics of common agricultural spray solutions will be discussed. Available droplet-size datasets and measurement methodologies will be reviewed alongside the standards and classification schemes that underpin regulatory risk assessments and applicator decision-support systems. The role of the applied droplet size distribution in governing swath deposition, canopy coverage, and downwind drift potential will also be highlighted, emphasizing the trade-space between biological efficacy and environmental stewardship.