Optimizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operational Parameters to Improve Pest Control Efficacy and Decrease Pesticide Dosage in Tea Gardens
Labor shortages in the Chinese tea industry have accelerated the need for crop protection unmanned aerial vehicles (CP-UAVs), which can greatly improve working efficiency. However, CP-UAV operational parameters must be optimized for effective pest control. In this study, the spraying performance of...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/431 |
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| Summary: | Labor shortages in the Chinese tea industry have accelerated the need for crop protection unmanned aerial vehicles (CP-UAVs), which can greatly improve working efficiency. However, CP-UAV operational parameters must be optimized for effective pest control. In this study, the spraying performance of two CP-UAVs (DJI T30 and T40) under different operational parameters were compared in tea gardens. Additionally, the utility of CP-UAVs for controlling tea leafhoppers was investigated. Droplet coverage and size increased as the spray volume increased for both T30 (from 30 L·ha<sup>−1</sup> to 90 L·ha<sup>−1</sup>) and T40 (from 60 L·ha<sup>−1</sup> to 150 L·ha<sup>−1</sup>). Under the same operational parameters, spray deposition at the surface and inner part of the tea canopy was 1.4- and 2.9 times higher, respectively, for T40 than for T30. For T40, droplet penetrability increased significantly following decreases in working height (from 5 to 2 m) and driving speed (from 5 to 3 m·s<sup>−1</sup>). The spray performance and control effect of T40 were significantly greater under optimal operational parameters (driving speed of 3 m·s<sup>−1</sup>, working height of 2.5 m, and spray volume of 120 L·ha<sup>−1</sup>) than under conventional application parameters (driving speed of 5 m·s<sup>−1</sup>, working height of 4.5 m, and spray volume of 45 L·ha<sup>−1</sup>). Using T40 under the optimal operational parameters decreased the amount of pesticide required to control tea leafhoppers by 25%, relative to the amount required for traditional knapsack sprayers. Furthermore, pesticide residue levels were similar for T40 and the knapsack sprayer. These findings provide valuable insights into the application of CP-UAVs in tea gardens, which may be important for further developing a modern, intensive, and sustainable tea industry. |
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| ISSN: | 2073-4395 |