What is a common method for applying pesticides to crops?

Spraying is considered a common method for applying pesticides to crops because it allows for efficient and uniform coverage over large areas. This method utilizes specialized equipment such as spray nozzles and pumps to disperse liquid pesticides onto plant surfaces, ensuring that the active ingredients contact the pests effectively. Spraying can be carried out using various types of machinery, ranging from small handheld sprayers to larger tractor-mounted systems, which makes it versatile for different scales of agricultural operations.

In contrast, drip irrigation is primarily a method for delivering water and nutrients directly to the plant's root zone rather than applying pesticides. Soil injection involves placing pesticides into the soil for targeted control but is less common overall compared to spraying. Hand-picking pests is a labor-intensive practice primarily used for small infestations and does not provide the broad coverage that spraying offers, making it impractical for large-scale crop management. Therefore, spraying stands out as the most prevalent method for pesticide application in agricultural settings.