ASHS 2024 Conference

Current agricultural practices are facing several challenges because of the use of large and heavy machinery used in the fields. The benefits of covering large areas to meet the time of spraying crops is becoming questionable because the heavy machinery (large self-propelled boom sprayers) also can cause soil compaction and require large amounts of fuel and technical labor to be operated. Moreover, spraying drones are emerging as a pivotal technology in modern agriculture. They serve multiple purposes, from measuring and understanding fields using sensor and camera-captured images to acting as spray applicators for a wide range of products e.g.,including herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers. As a novel technology, spraying drones overcome some of the challenges faced by traditional methods. For instance, they can initiate applications in specific areas that require treatment, thereby avoiding issues like soil compression and unnecessary use of cultivated areas. This enhances precision while reduces losses in the field. However, defining application rate and the impact of adjuvant products is still scarce in previous studies. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed whether the coverage area is influenced by application rates and surfactant addition. The study was conducted in a carrot crop field. Water-sensitive papers were placed on the top leaf and at the bottom of the plants to quantify the coverage area. The measured area comprised a swath of 40 feet and a drone route of 100 feet. Measurements were performed in 9 crop-rows, each row with three hydrosensitive papers spaced in 33 feet apart. A multirotor spraying drone XAG P100Pro with Atomized Nozzles was used to apply spraying rates of 5 and 10 gallons per acre, both with and without surfactant addition. Results showed more coverage area on the top leaf than at the bottom of the plants. Similarly, when 10 gallons per acre were applied, it produced a higher covered area. However, there was a difference when applied 10 gallons with and without adjuvant. By applying adjuvant, the trial proved more efficient in reaching the plants. Conversely, when 5 gallons were applied, the surfactant did not contribute to either the top leaves or bottom part. Therefore, our results are promising and contribute to the enhancement of technology in agricultural production. The insights allow from farms to research centers to improve the spraying drone application, guaranteeing a more sustainable environment.