Pesticide drift is a chronic concern for anyone who applies
herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and any other compound
meant to control or kill a problem specie. These photographs
show the effects of 2,4-DB drift from a peanut field to a cotton
field across the road. Although the damage looks terrible, the
plant will grow out of it. However, according to Dr. Dale Monks,
the grower should expect a yield decrease. The loss of
production equates to an economic loss, and a reduction of the
bottom line. Cotton is extremely sensitive to 2,4-D. There are
two ways that the pesticide can drift: Volatilization and
Physical. Volatilization occurs when the pesticide changes from
a liquid to a gas. The vapor can then move large distances with
the wind currents. This type of drift can cause severe injury to
cotton several miles from the application site. The old ‘ester’
formulations of 2,4-D were particularly vulnerable to
volatilization. Today only 2,4-D amine and what are called low-
volatile ester 2,4-D’s are sold. Of t