What practices minimize water contamination during pesticide use?

The correct answer highlights important practices that significantly minimize the risk of water contamination during pesticide application. Establishing buffer zones is a crucial step, as these areas help prevent pesticides from directly reaching water sources by creating a physical barrier. This practice reduces runoff and helps protect aquatic ecosystems.

Proper equipment calibration is essential for accurately applying the right amount of pesticide. Equipment that is not calibrated can lead to overapplication, which increases the likelihood of pesticide runoff into water bodies. Proper calibration ensures that only the necessary amount is used, reducing environmental impact.

Avoiding pesticide application before rain is another critical strategy. Rainfall can cause pesticides to wash away and enter water streams, lakes, or groundwater, leading to contamination. Timing applications to ensure they occur during dry conditions helps mitigate this risk and protects water quality.

In contrast, while using only organic pesticides sounds beneficial, it does not specifically address proper application practices necessary to minimize water contamination. Similarly, the other options involve practices that could lead to increased contamination risk, such as mixing pesticides with fertilizers, which may enhance runoff, and applying pesticides during windy conditions, which can lead to drift and unintended application in vulnerable areas.