Effect of working parameter on droplet deposition in pumpkin top dressing using multi-rotor UAV

Abstract

With the wide utilization of UAV in agricultural experiment and field management, plant protection UAV became a highly usage equipment for famers. Topdressing for pumpkin is important, when pumpkin fruit are expanding. It is difficult for farmers and other spraying machines to work on the farm, because all the fields is covered with leaves and stalks. A field test were launched to explore UAV working parameters on pumpkin topdressing, and distribution of droplets on face or back leave were measured to reflect the spraying quality and quantity of machine. During filed experiment, parameters of each flight was set by auto-flight system, and flight speed was stable. Through field experiment and data analysis, it was found that when the flying height was 2.5 m and the flying speed was 3 m/s, the total amount of droplet deposition reached the maximum, and the droplet attachment level on the back leaves was the highest. This parameters could be a guidance when using UAV for topdressing in pumpkin or other kinds of crops.