Drift reduction in orchards through the use of an autonomous UAV system

Abstract

The demands of a growing population and a developing global economy will require an increase in agricultural yield of 70% over the next 30 years. However, achieving this goal is only possible with a sustainable intensification of agricultural systems. Spraying drones are one of the available technologies that could help meet this goal. Presently, the use of spraying drones is limited by both the legal framework and the lack of scientific knowledge about the drift they generate compared to conventional terrestrial spraying platforms. However, the flexibility that spraying drones provide, their characteristic vertical spraying, and the downwash airflow produced by the rotors might reduce drift. This study aimed to compare the drift generated by a conventional orchard sprayer to that generated by a spraying drone in a commercial superhigh-density olive orchard. Trials to assess the sedimented drift of both spraying platforms were conducted in the South Iberian Peninsula in 2022. Our results show that the drone sprayer required less than half the distance to sediment 90% of the sprayed volume compared to a conventional mist blower.