Unmanned aerial spraying system drift curves for agroforestry scenarios in Spain

Unmanned aerial spraying systems (UASS) are gaining popularity in the European agricultural sector. However, scientific knowledge regarding the spray drift generated by UASSs is needed to integrate them into European agriculture. Currently, UASS spray drift models have not been developed. This study aims to obtain sedimenting spray drift curves for UASS and compare them with reference drift models used to evaluate European spraying systems. Drift trials were conducted in typical agroforestry scenarios in Spain, including super high-density olive orchards, grapevines, and pine tree plantations. Results suggest that UASS, under specific scenarios, can generate less sedimenting drift than conventional sprayers, and they present a promising tool for agricultural applications, though with certain limitations.