The most practical method of determining air stability conditions at the time of application is through the use of a __________________.

Using a smoke pot is an effective and practical method for determining air stability conditions during pesticide application. When smoke is released from the pot, it visually demonstrates how the air is behaving, particularly in terms of turbulence and stability.

If the smoke rises steadily and disperses quickly, it indicates fairly stable air conditions with good mixing, which is favorable for aerial application, as it reduces the risk of pesticide drift. Conversely, if the smoke tends to form a layer or settles closer to the ground, this suggests unstable conditions where air is not mixing well, which could lead to drift and improper pesticide coverage.

While other methods such as handheld wind meters, weather reports, or thermocouple and psychrometer readings have their uses, they do not provide the same immediate visual assessment of air stability conditions specifically at the time of application as effectively as a smoke pot does. Therefore, using a smoke pot gives applicators real-time insight into how atmospheric conditions may impact their pesticide application.