Spray characterization of an unmanned aerial vehicle for agricultural spraying

Issue Date

3-2023

Abstract

Sustainability and higher efficiency in crop production are possible with the use of new technologies. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles brings many advantages both in terms of monitoring agricultural areas and pesticide applications. This technology allows us to detect diseases and damages in an early manner and apply them in areas that are not accessible by conventional sprayers. However, a lack of knowledge on how to use UAVs and what parameters need to be considered prevent the widespread use of drone technology in agriculture. This study established parameters for spraying with clean water using a DJI Agras 14 MG-1P (RTK) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Droplet distribution and droplet analyses were examined in the studies carried out at different heights (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 m) and flow rates (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 L/ha). Droplets were analysed using DepositScan. Coefficients of variation of droplet distribution tend to decrease with the increasing spray rate. The trials with the closest values to uniformity are spraying applications made with a flight height of 2 m. When we evaluate pesticide efficacy according to the number of droplets per unit area, insecticides and all herbicides can be effective at applications with flight heights of 1.5 and 2 m and spray rate of 20 L/ha. While all spraying is done with flight heights of 1.5 and 2 m and spray rates of 25 L/ha, fungicides are ineffective when applied from 2.5 m height. As a result, this study found the measurements made at 2 m altitude and 20 L/ha spray rate have the highest coverage rate and lowest drift potential.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

0031-7454

Volume

106

Issue

1

Page

39-46

Document Type

Article

Frequency

quarterly

Physical Description

illustrations, tables, graphs

Language

English

Subject

aerial spraying, drift, drone, surface coverage, pesticide applications, droplet distribution

Identifier

https://pas.uplb.edu.ph/issues/march-2023-vol-106-no-1/

Digital Copy

Yes

En – AGROVOC descriptors

CROPS; UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES; TECHNOLOGY; SPRAYING; PESTICIDE APPLICATION

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