Faster drones a "game-changer" for pesticide application

"In this report, Deveau and RealAgriculture's Bernard Tobin examine how the industry has moved rapidly from small 10-litre machines to much larger systems. The latest DJI T100 model - capable of carrying 100 litres and flying at around 72 km/h - represents a significant leap forward in both speed and payload. That combination, says Deveau, has shifted expectations about what drones could realistically do in commercial spray applications."

"Deveau explains that in early research, slower flight speeds created unpredictable downwash effects that made swath patterns difficult to control. Once drones like the T100 reached higher speeds, however, something changed: swath width became more consistent. That observation - still under evaluation - suggests high-speed applications may deliver spray more uniformly, almost laying it down "like a sheet," rather than allowing chaotic airflow to distort coverage, says Deveau."

"Deveau plans to run additional trials in 2026, and if early findings hold up, the implications could be significant. He shared preliminary calculations suggesting - hypothetically - that larger, faster drones could approach application rates of about 40 acres per hour for fungicides and potentially more than 100 acres per hour for broadacre herbicide applications. That level of productivity begins to align more closely with ground rig coverage."

Faster drones such as the DJI T100 combine 100-litre payloads with flight speeds around 72 km/h, enabling larger-scale spray operations. Early trials found slower flight speeds produced unpredictable downwash and variable swath patterns, while higher speeds yielded more consistent swath widths and more uniform coverage, resembling a sheet. Preliminary calculations estimate about 40 acres per hour for fungicide applications and over 100 acres per hour for broadacre herbicide applications, bringing drone productivity closer to ground rigs. Additional trials, optimization of settings, regulatory review, and safety assessments are required before widespread adoption.

Read at Realagriculture