Research and Development of Chemical Distribution Equipment for Agricultural Aircraft in California

Abstract

Following the Second World War, agricultural aircraft use increased rapidly in the United States, but appears to have levelled off in the past five years. California is one of the largest users of agricultural aircraft of any State, with an estimated 8 million acres treated per year. This figure includes all applications of insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides, plus seeding, fertilising, and defoliation of agricultural crops, grasslands and forest areas. Also, this figure represents acres covered and includes duplicated applications. Certain crops, such as cotton, may have as many as four or five separate treatments during the season.