Optimization of Application Parameters for UAV-Based Liquid Pollination in Pear Orchards: A Yield and Cost Perspective

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) liquid pollination emerges as a promising substitute for hand pollination methods. In this study, the relationship between UAV liquid pollination and fruit thinning operations was explored from the perspective of practical application. By testing droplet deposition unde...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agronomy (Basel) 2024-09, Vol.14 (9), p.2033
Main Authors: Wang, Pei, He, Moxin, Li, Mingqi, Yang, Yuheng, Li, Hui, Xi, Wanpeng, Zhang, Tong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural production
Airspeed
Altitude
Cost analysis
Costs
Crop yields
Deposition
droplet deposition
Droplets
Efficiency
Flight
Fruit set
fruit thinning
Fruit trees
Fruits
Humidity
Impact analysis
Orchards
Parameters
pear orchard
Plant reproduction
Pollination
Spraying
Strategic planning (Business)
Temperature
Thinning
Trees
UAV liquid pollination
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Variance analysis
Velocity
Weather
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Summary:Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) liquid pollination emerges as a promising substitute for hand pollination methods. In this study, the relationship between UAV liquid pollination and fruit thinning operations was explored from the perspective of practical application. By testing droplet deposition under various flight parameters, the flight parameters for a specific pear orchard were optimized to ensure the uniform and effective distribution of the pollination solution. Results indicated that optimal droplet density (number·cm−2), area coverage (%), and deposition rate (μL·cm−2) were achieved at a flight height (FH) of 1.5 m and a flight speed (FS) of 2 m·s−1. Considering the nuanced physiological attributes of pear tree flowers during their pollination phase, the research scrutinizes the impact of application parameters such as floral stage and spraying frequency on pollination efficiency. A two-way ANOVA analysis demonstrated significant impacts of floral stage, spraying frequency, and their interaction on the fruit set rate (p < 0.01). Controlling pollination parameters can effectively regulate the fruit set rate, thereby influencing the cost and efficiency of fruit thinning. These findings contribute a theoretical framework for formulating customized pollination management strategies tailored to the specific needs of pear orchards.
ISSN:2073-4395
2073-4395
DOI:10.3390/agronomy14092033