To compensate for pump wear, pump flow capacity should ________ the largest flow required by the nozzles and hydraulic agitation.

The correct choice is to indicate that pump flow capacity should be greater than the largest flow required by the nozzles and hydraulic agitation. This ensures that the pump can handle the maximum demand without suffering from performance issues due to wear over time.

Pumps typically lose efficiency as they age, which can lead to decreased flow rates. Having a flow capacity greater than what is needed allows for this loss of efficiency to be compensated for, ensuring consistent application rates and proper functioning of the nozzle systems and hydraulic agitation. If the pump flow were equal to or less than the required flow, it could result in inadequate supply to the nozzles, compromising pest management efforts and potentially leading to ineffective application of pesticides or nutrients. Additionally, an adjustable flow may not consistently provide the necessary capacity for varying conditions or requirements. Hence, ensuring that the pump flow capacity exceeds the largest demand is crucial for maintaining effective pest management operations in field crops.