Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for spraying in field and Orchard Crops

Abstract

Traditional plant protection methods, burdened by arduous labor, inefficiency, and significant operator exposure, are increasingly inadequate, especially in challenging terrains like mountainous regions. While boom sprayers offered improvements, their limitations in such environments remain. This research explores the transformative potential of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for precise and efficient pesticide application in field and orchard crops. UAVs offer unparalleled advantages, including independence from specialized infrastructure, remote operation flexibility, rapid response capabilities to agricultural disasters, and significantly reduced human exposure to harmful chemicals. Despite their promise, ensuring uniform spray coverage and optimal droplet penetration remains a key challenge, particularly in dense canopies. This study meticulously evaluates the performance and feasibility of UAVs for pesticide application, focusing on critical parameters such as spray distribution, droplet analysis, uniformity coefficient, droplet density, working efficiency, and comparative performance against conventional manual and power-operated sprayers. Economic viability is also thoroughly assessed. By providing crucial empirical data and technical guidance, this research aims to optimize UAV operational parameters, promoting safe and effective aerial spraying practices to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.