Comparison of Volumetric Distribution in Drone Spraying Considering Height, Application Volume, and Nozzle Type

The advancement of technology in agriculture has driven the use of drones for spraying, with their increasing adoption presenting challenges in calibration and volumetric distribution efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the volumetric distribution of drone spraying by combining different operat...

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Main Authors: Raí Fernandes Queiroz Alves, Jéssica Elaine Silva, Thiago Orlando Costa Barboza, Marcelo Araújo Junqueira Ferraz, Octávio Pereira da Costa, Wender Henrique Batista da Silva, Franklin Daniel Inácio, Luan Pereira de Oliveira, Christiane Augusta Diniz Melo, Adão Felipe dos Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:AgriEngineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/7/4/123
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author Raí Fernandes Queiroz Alves
Jéssica Elaine Silva
Thiago Orlando Costa Barboza
Marcelo Araújo Junqueira Ferraz
Octávio Pereira da Costa
Wender Henrique Batista da Silva
Franklin Daniel Inácio
Luan Pereira de Oliveira
Christiane Augusta Diniz Melo
Adão Felipe dos Santos
author_facet Raí Fernandes Queiroz Alves
Jéssica Elaine Silva
Thiago Orlando Costa Barboza
Marcelo Araújo Junqueira Ferraz
Octávio Pereira da Costa
Wender Henrique Batista da Silva
Franklin Daniel Inácio
Luan Pereira de Oliveira
Christiane Augusta Diniz Melo
Adão Felipe dos Santos
author_sort Raí Fernandes Queiroz Alves
collection DOAJ
description The advancement of technology in agriculture has driven the use of drones for spraying, with their increasing adoption presenting challenges in calibration and volumetric distribution efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the volumetric distribution of drone spraying by combining different operational parameters to determine spray swath and application uniformity. Experiments were conducted using a DJI T10 drone and a volumetric distribution table to assess the impact of different flight heights (2, 3, and 4 m), application volumes (8, 12, 16, and 20 L ha<sup>−1</sup>), and nozzle types (FV 110 015, FL 110 010, and CO 080 010). Environmental conditions were monitored, and data were analyzed using histograms, analysis of variance (ANOVA) by F-test (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05), and the Scott–Knott test (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05) to group means. Results indicated that a lower application volume (8 L ha<sup>−1</sup>) led to greater application uniformity and a narrower spray swath. Higher flight altitude (4 m) resulted in a wider spray swath and a normal distribution of spray deposition. Fine droplet nozzles (CO 080 010) enhanced uniformity, while very coarse droplets (FV 110 015) concentrated more volume in the center of the swath. Thus, using fine droplet nozzles (CO 080 010), lower application volume (8 and 12 L ha<sup>−1</sup>), and higher flight altitude (4 m) as operational parameters maximizes drone spraying efficiency; however, this also increases drift potential.
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spelling doaj-art-781fa4cc07dc4839a31d56cf9b7ba5aa2025-08-20T03:14:19ZengMDPI AGAgriEngineering2624-74022025-04-017412310.3390/agriengineering7040123Comparison of Volumetric Distribution in Drone Spraying Considering Height, Application Volume, and Nozzle TypeRaí Fernandes Queiroz Alves0Jéssica Elaine Silva1Thiago Orlando Costa Barboza2Marcelo Araújo Junqueira Ferraz3Octávio Pereira da Costa4Wender Henrique Batista da Silva5Franklin Daniel Inácio6Luan Pereira de Oliveira7Christiane Augusta Diniz Melo8Adão Felipe dos Santos9Department of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, MG, BrazilDepartment of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, MG, BrazilDepartment of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, MG, BrazilDepartment of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, MG, BrazilDepartment of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, MG, BrazilDepartment of Entomology, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, MG, BrazilDepartment of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, MG, BrazilDepartment of Horticulture, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USADepartment of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, MG, BrazilDepartment of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37203-202, MG, BrazilThe advancement of technology in agriculture has driven the use of drones for spraying, with their increasing adoption presenting challenges in calibration and volumetric distribution efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the volumetric distribution of drone spraying by combining different operational parameters to determine spray swath and application uniformity. Experiments were conducted using a DJI T10 drone and a volumetric distribution table to assess the impact of different flight heights (2, 3, and 4 m), application volumes (8, 12, 16, and 20 L ha<sup>−1</sup>), and nozzle types (FV 110 015, FL 110 010, and CO 080 010). Environmental conditions were monitored, and data were analyzed using histograms, analysis of variance (ANOVA) by F-test (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05), and the Scott–Knott test (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05) to group means. Results indicated that a lower application volume (8 L ha<sup>−1</sup>) led to greater application uniformity and a narrower spray swath. Higher flight altitude (4 m) resulted in a wider spray swath and a normal distribution of spray deposition. Fine droplet nozzles (CO 080 010) enhanced uniformity, while very coarse droplets (FV 110 015) concentrated more volume in the center of the swath. Thus, using fine droplet nozzles (CO 080 010), lower application volume (8 and 12 L ha<sup>−1</sup>), and higher flight altitude (4 m) as operational parameters maximizes drone spraying efficiency; however, this also increases drift potential.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/7/4/123drone technologyoperational parametersUAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)spray swathapplication uniformityprecision agriculture
spellingShingle Raí Fernandes Queiroz Alves
Jéssica Elaine Silva
Thiago Orlando Costa Barboza
Marcelo Araújo Junqueira Ferraz
Octávio Pereira da Costa
Wender Henrique Batista da Silva
Franklin Daniel Inácio
Luan Pereira de Oliveira
Christiane Augusta Diniz Melo
Adão Felipe dos Santos
Comparison of Volumetric Distribution in Drone Spraying Considering Height, Application Volume, and Nozzle Type
AgriEngineering
drone technology
operational parameters
UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)
spray swath
application uniformity
precision agriculture
title Comparison of Volumetric Distribution in Drone Spraying Considering Height, Application Volume, and Nozzle Type
title_full Comparison of Volumetric Distribution in Drone Spraying Considering Height, Application Volume, and Nozzle Type
title_fullStr Comparison of Volumetric Distribution in Drone Spraying Considering Height, Application Volume, and Nozzle Type
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of Volumetric Distribution in Drone Spraying Considering Height, Application Volume, and Nozzle Type
title_short Comparison of Volumetric Distribution in Drone Spraying Considering Height, Application Volume, and Nozzle Type
title_sort comparison of volumetric distribution in drone spraying considering height application volume and nozzle type
topic drone technology
operational parameters
UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)
spray swath
application uniformity
precision agriculture
url https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/7/4/123
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