Combined Performance Evaluation of Multiple Types of UAV Sprayers in Controlling Agricultural Pests

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.

2 Agricultural Engineering Research Department, Markazi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Arak, Iran.

10.22103/bbr.2026.27275.1152

Abstract

The capabilities of UAV sprayers have led to the growing adoption of this technology by farmers. This study aimed to evaluate the combined performance of several common UAV sprayer types in the country and to provide a scientific method for selecting the most suitable sprayer for different crops and pests. Three UAV sprayer types were evaluated in three different regions and prioritized based on parameters affecting spraying quality. These UAV sprayers were used to control canola aphid, Tuta pest of tomato, and spider mite of beans. The technical parameters for each UAV sprayer were measured. The UAV sprayer was then ranked, and after normalizing the data, they were prioritized using a combined performance index (CPI). Based on the results, the mean flow rate was 2.1 L/min, the mean flight speed was 18.5 km/h, and the mean effective field capacity was 5.2 ha/h. The lowest spray volume applied (8.4 L/ha), the highest field efficiency (68.3%), and the lowest spray drift (9.9%) belonged to UAV sprayer 2; the highest spraying efficacy (92.1%) belonged to UAV sprayer 1; and the highest effective field capacity (7.3 ha/h), the best uniformity coefficient (0.89), and the lowest energy consumption (0.59 kWh/ha) belonged to UAV sprayer 3. In terms of the combined performance index, UAV sprayer 1 exhibited superior performance under the evaluated crop–pest and environmental conditions, followed by UAV sprayer 2 and UAV sprayer 3, respectively.

Keywords

References

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Biomechanism and Bioenergy Research
Volume 5, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 68-83

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 April 2026
  • Revise Date: 28 May 2026
  • Accept Date: 08 June 2026

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