Eficiência na deposição de gotas com uso de drone pulverizador em diferentes alturas de voo e taxas de aplicação na cultura do milho (Zea mays)

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of droplet deposition provided by a spraying drone at different positions on the plant, flight height, and application rate in liters per hectare in maize (Zea mays) cultivation. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used in a 3 x 3 x 3 factorial scheme, with six replications. The first factor corresponded to three flight heights: 4m, 5m, and 6m; the second factor corresponded to three application volumes: 10 L.ha-1, 12 L.ha-1, and 15 L.ha-1; and the third factor corresponded to three positions on the plants: lower third, tassel leaf and apical leaf. The covered area was greater at treatment 7 (3.42%), while the lowest value was at treatment 3 (0.87%). The mean droplet volume (MDV) tends to be larger with higher application rates. Generally, a greater amount of water means a larger covered area in all three plant thirds. Higher application rates promote larger MDV, minimizing the influence of external factors on the spray pattern and consequently reducing losts.