Spraying by drone - a modern solution in precision agriculture
The use of drones for agricultural spraying is gaining popularity as an innovative solution within precision agriculture. Drones provide greater precision, minimizing the use of crop protection products, fertilizer and water, resulting in cost savings and environmental protection. Drone spraying is faster, more accurate and available for areas that are difficult to cover with conventional equipment, such as mountainous or wet areas. There are two main methods of drone spraying: wet spraying and dry spraying. Each method has its own specific uses, advantages and limitations.
Wet spraying - precise application of crop protection products and liquid fertilizers
Wet spra ying is a method used primarily for the application of crop protection products and liquid fertilizers. Thanks to drone technology, wet spraying can be carried out with a high degree of precision, which is crucial, especially in fields with large areas and diverse crops. Drones for wet spraying are equipped with special liquid tanks and a system of nozzles that evenly distribute the product over crops.
Advantages of wet spraying done by drone:
- Precise crop coverage: Drones can better tailor the application rate to specific zones within a field, allowing for more precise application to plant leaves and stems.
- Time and cost savings: Wet spraying by drone is much faster than conventional methods. The drone is able to cover large areas in a short period of time, allowing for efficient time management and reduced operating costs.
- Reduced use of crop protection products: With precision spraying, drones reduce over-application, which promotes environmental protection and reduces costs.
- Accessibility to difficult areas: Drones can easily reach areas that are difficult for tractors and farm machinery to access, such as fields with steep slopes or muddy areas where traditional spraying would be dangerous or impossible.
Wet spray application:
- Pest control: Wet drone spraying allows quick response to emerging pest outbreaks, preventing further spread.
- Foliar Fertilization: With its precision application capabilities, wet spray is ideal for foliar fertilization, providing plants with quick access to nutrients.
- Fungicide treatments: Fungal disease control is more effective with wet spraying, which allows for even fungicide coverage of plants.
Dry spraying - economical and effective fertilization and plant protection
Drone-assisted dry spraying is an application method in which drones spray dry powder or granules instead of liquid. This method is particularly useful for fertilizing plants with mineral fertilizers in bulk form and for applying plant protection products in powder form. Drones for dry spraying are equipped with special containers and dispensing systems that precisely distribute the dry substance over selected areas.
Advantages of dry spraying done by drone:
- Better soil penetration: dry spraying delivers ingredients directly to the soil, which is particularly effective for mineral fertilization. Granules or powders are able to penetrate the soil, providing better plant nutrition from the roots.
- Cost efficiency: Compared to wet spraying, dry spraying requires less substance, resulting in lower operating costs. Drones use less energy to transport powder, which increases their efficiency.
- Reduced dependence on weather conditions: Wet spraying requires weather conditions, while dry spraying allows drones to operate with fewer restrictions, allowing for more flexible scheduling.
- Minimize waste of crop protection products: With precise application, dry spraying ensures that protectants are applied exactly where they are needed, minimizing the risk of overuse.
Dry spray application:
- Mineral fertilization: Dry spraying is ideal for applying bulk fertilizers that deliver micronutrients and nutrients directly to the soil.
- Pest protection: For pest-prone crops, dry spraying allows insecticides to be evenly distributed in granular or powder form, minimizing their impact on surrounding plants and soil.
- Fungal disease control: In situations where powdered protectants are necessary, dry spraying made with a drone provides effective support in the fight against fungal diseases.
Summary
Drone spraying, in both wet and dry form, is a modern method of applying crop protection products and fertilizers that provides farmers with many benefits, such as time savings, cost efficiency and precise application. Wet spraying works best for applying liquid fertilizers and crop protection products, while dry spraying is ideal for mineral fertilizers and granular protection products.
The use of drones for agricultural spraying contributes to improving the efficiency of agricultural production and protecting the environment, enabling precise management of chemicals and fertilizers. With this technology, farmers can tailor treatments to the needs of their crops, reducing the negative impact on the environment.