Evaluation of spray penetration on different planes in pesticide applications using an agricultural Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) sprayer

This study aimed to evaluate the spray performance of an agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with four fan-type hydraulic nozzles (LU 120-01; IDK 100-01; AD 90-01-C; and ST 01-110) on target horizontal and vertical planes. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) among nozzle types and sampling heights in terms of droplet coverage and distribution uniformity. The LU 120-01 nozzle achieved the highest mean horizontal surface coverage (6.40%), while the IDK 100-01 nozzle produced the highest vertical coverage (1.89%) and exhibited more uniform droplet distribution. LU nozzles generally performed better at lower heights, whereas ST 01-110 nozzles achieved superior coverage at higher altitudes. Overall, the results highlight the necessity of evaluating horizontal and vertical deposition patterns in UAV-based pesticide applications to ensure uniform and effective chemical delivery across crop canopies.