Comparison of UAV and fixed‐wing aerial application for alfalfa insect pest control: evaluating efficacy, residues, and spray quality

• DOI: 10.1002/ps.6540
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03T08:09:29Z
• Authors: Xuan Li; D Ken Giles; John T Andaloro; Rachael Long; Edward B Lang; Lawrence J Watson; Issa Qandah
• Keywords: Aerial application; Crop Protection; Sprayer; Crop Residue

Abstract BACKGROUND Integrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as a new method of pesticide application into existing commercial crop protection systems requires extensive research and comparison to conventional, proven technology. Pest control expressed efficacy against target pests, spray quality coverage chemical residue are three key criteria. We investigated compared these quantitative parameters between multi‐rotor UAV conventional piloted airplanes in two alfalfa production systems. RESULTS Effective equivalent leaf‐feeding insect pests was achieved by both methods when delivering chlorantraniliprole at the same labeled use rate different volumes (46.8 93.5 L ha –1 ) on commercially grown California. Residue levels were also comparable consistent airplane applications across sampling techniques, specifically alfalfa, insecticide recovery from filter paper, water sensitive cards. Differences droplet size deposit characteristics more variable for than based analysis deposition images. CONCLUSION The results this study provide confidence supporting small‐scale UAVs agricultural crops. According tested, performance that fixed wing application. However, spectrum short‐term fate droplets system require further optimization effective efficient with minimal risk environment.