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Description
This study examines the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for aerial spraying in agriculture, with a focus on spray drift, which refers to the movement of sprayed particles away from the target area. Spray drift reduces spraying efficiency, increases costs, and poses potential hazards to humans, animals, and the environment. The experiment aimed to assess how flying height, UAV speed, and wind speed affect the distribution of spray drift. Conducted in the Indoor UAV Laboratory at UPM, the study used a hexacopter UAV with a 16-liter payload, and 49 water-sensitive papers were placed at sampling points to capture the spray pattern. Results showed that UAV speed significantly influences spray coverage and droplet distribution. Flying at a height of 2.5 meters, with a speed of 2 meters per second, and under low wind conditions resulted in the best spray uniformity and minimal drift. In conclusion, flying height, speed, and wind speed all play critical roles in determining spray drift patterns, and optimizing these parameters can improve spraying efficiency and reduce associated risks.
