Analyzing the synergistic impact of UAV-based technology and knapsack sprayer on weed management, yield-contributing traits, and yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for enhanced agricultural operations

Abstract

Modern agriculture uses agrochemicals to boost crop yield and quality. Using knapsack sprayers, Indian farmers apply herbicides, insecticides, and other chemicals. Herbicides are applied by manually operated knapsack sprayers, which are laborious, uneven, and prone to human mistakes. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a promising agricultural spraying alternative to manual operations. Future agricultural and field scouting technology aids weed management, pest control, and automated irrigation systems. Drone herbicide spraying was compared to traditional and mechanical knapsack sprayers in this study. The study also tested knapsack (manual) and UAV herbicide pre- and post-emergence and spraying on wheat crops. Herbicide application by knapsack and drones was examined for weed control, yield-contributing characters, and wheat yield. The experiments were performed at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth's Department of Agronomy in Parbhani, Maharashtra. A randomized block design (RBD) with eight treatments, including drones and knapsack sprayers for weed management in wheat crops with different herbicide application times and repeated hoeings (cultural method), was compared to absolute weed-free, where no weeds were allowed to grow in wheat by frequent weeding and weedy inspection. The experimental field measured 7.2 m x 6 m gross land area and 6.3 m x 5.6 m net land area. When winds were light, the drone was flown at 3 m to avoid herbicide droplets drifting. The study found that unweeded wheat yields dropped 38 % owing to weed insects. The pre-emergence (PE) application using a knapsack sprayer and post-emergence (POE) herbicide application via a drone synergistically resulted in the highest growth and yield for T3, attaining values of 11.02 gm/plant, an average of 284.97 grains/plant, and a per-hectare grain yield of 4256.59 kg/ha. The cultural approach of weed management (T4) reduced yield by 21.2 %; however, treatment T3 improved yield contributing characteristics and losses by just 2.8 %. UAV-based herbicide spraying is a fast and easy method that contributes to achieving sustainable development goal (SDG) 2 for Zero Hunger by promoting sustainable plant protection and crop production.