Spray performance and control efficacy against pests in paddy rice by UAV ‐based pesticide application: effects of atomization, UAV configuration and flight velocity

作者：Supakorn Wongsuk, Peng Qi, Changling Wang, Aijun Zeng, Fuyu Sun, Fengquan Yu, Xu Zhao, Xiongkui He · 发表于：Pest Management Science · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1002/ps.7942 · 被引用次数：29 · 研究领域：Plant Surface Properties and Treatments、Insect behavior and control techniques、Plant Disease Management Techniques

Abstract BACKGROUND Over the past decade, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sprayers have emerged as valuable tools for pesticide application across various crops. Despite their increasing usage, the impact of several factors on spray performance and control efficacy in paddy fields warrants further investigation. This study examines atomization characteristics using a UAV spray test platform. Our evaluation of field spraying performance considers three UAV models, two nozzle types, two flight velocities, and adding methylated vegetable oil adjuvant (MVOA), in comparison with the electrical knapsack sprayer (EKS). RESULTS Atomization characteristics demonstrated consistency within the downwash airflow field, but were influenced by spray solution, nozzle type, and spray pressure. The eight‐rotor UAV sprayer excelled over the quad‐rotor model in terms of spray deposition across both upper and lower rice canopies. The six‐rotor UAV exhibited enhanced spray deposition, droplet density, and coverage at a flight velocity of 4 m s −1 . The choice of nozzle was pivotal; the flat fan nozzle produced finer droplets with desirable deposition and coverage, whereas the air‐induction nozzle created larger droplets with consistent coverage at various flight velocities. Adding MVOA improved the physicochemical properties of the spray and its performance, yielding a more uniform distribution. When compared with the EKS, UAVs showed lower deposition but comparable spray penetration. Control effica...