Droplet deposition and control effect of insecticides sprayed with an unmanned aerial vehicle against plant hoppers

A small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can spray pesticide with high efficiency and with no damage to crops is required for the timely and effective spraying of small fields and/or those in hilly mountains. The current study aimed to illuminate the influence of spraying parameters, such as operation height and operation velocity, of the UAV on droplet deposition on the rice canopy and protection efficacy against plant hoppers. Droplets of 480 g l−1 chlorpyrifos·(Regent EC) (at a dose of 432 g a.i. ha−1, spray volume rate of approximately 15 l ha−1) were collected using water-sensitive paper, and the coverage rates of the droplets on the rice canopy and lower layer were statistically analyzed. The deposition and distribution of droplets in the late stage of rice growth were closely related to the operational height and velocity of crop spraying as executed by the UAV, further affecting insect control. The spraying parameters for preventing plant hoppers were then optimized. When the spraying height was 1.5 m and the spraying velocity 5 m s−1, the droplet deposition in the lower layer was maximized, and the droplets exhibited the most uniform distribution (CV = 23%). The insecticidal efficacy was 92%–74% from 3 to 10 days after spraying insecticide. Both the insecticidal efficacy and the persistence period were greater than those achieved with a hand lance operated from a stretcher-mounted sprayer (at dose of 432 g a.i. ha−1, spray volume rate of approximately 750 l ha−1), especially on the 5th day, indicating that UAV had a low-volume and highly concentrated spray pattern to enhance the duration of efficacy. This work offers a basis for the optimized design, improved performance, and rational application of UAV.