Canopy-Layer Spray Deposition and Drift Behavior in an Almond Orchard: A Field Comparison of Multi-rotor UAVs and an Air-Assisted Orchard Sprayer
Applied Fruit Science, cilt.68, sa.5, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 68 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10341-026-02039-0
- Dergi Adı: Applied Fruit Science
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Canopy penetration, Droplet distribution uniformity, Ground drift losses, Rotary atomization, Volume-normalized efficiency
- Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study compared spray deposition and drift behavior of two multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), DJI Agras T30 and T40, with a conventional air-assisted orchard sprayer in an almond orchard. Five spray treatments were evaluated under field conditions at two UAV application volumes (40 and 80 L ha−1) and a conventional air-assisted orchard spray volume (800 L ha−1). Spray deposition was assessed using water-sensitive paper placed in the upper, middle, and lower canopy layers, as well as on the ground, and analyzed by digital image processing. The conventional air-assisted orchard sprayer produced the highest absolute coverage (48.12%) and droplet density (132.4 n cm−2). However, when normalized by application volume, the UAV treatments were more efficient. The DJI Agras T40 at 80 L ha−1 achieved the highest normalized coverage (0.28) and normalized droplet density (0.95), outperforming the T30 treatments and the conventional air-assisted orchard sprayer. The T40 also showed better canopy penetration and more uniform vertical distribution than the T30, reflected by lower coefficient of variation values across canopy layers. Ground deposition results indicated that 40 L ha−1 increased canopy bypass, whereas 80 L ha−1 provided a better balance between deposition efficiency and drift reduction. These findings suggest that, although the conventional air-assisted orchard sprayer remains superior in absolute coverage, the DJI Agras T40 at 80 L ha−1 offers a more efficient and resource-conserving option for spray application in almond orchards.