Drone app creates 'smart' field maps

Modern drones for agriculture not only help monitor crops but also provide pest and disease information and even create 'smart' field maps.

Drones are increasingly being used in agriculture

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in almost every sector of the economy is growing rapidly, but in the agricultural sector is seeing a boom.

According to research firm Ocean Report, the global agricultural drone market was worth $13.59 billion in 2022 and will reach $64.5 billion by 2030, with an average annual growth rate of 24.3%.

The information that drones collect can be used to make better decisions in precision agriculture systems.

In September 2023, a special experimental legal regime will be implemented in Russian regions, allowing the use of drones in various agricultural activities. That shows that the applicability of drones is constantly expanding.

The drone is equipped with high-quality sensors such as cameras, scanners, or sensors that measure soil moisture. When operating in the field, the UAV will perform large-scale inspection flights and generate multidimensional images or data. This data is then processed using AI to generate detailed maps of crops, soil moisture, and other issues related to agricultural production.

Crop Monitoring

Drones help monitor crop conditions by creating color palettes for field and garden surfaces. In doing so, they use an indicator called NDVI (Normalized Differentiated Plant Index) — a relatively normalized plant index that reflects how much plants are capable of photosynthesis. Color maps allow farmers to track crops as they grow and quickly identify problem areas in their fields.

Drones also use cameras to monitor crop health. The data they transmit is often more accurate than data from satellites because low-altitude drones do not experience interference from clouds or poor lighting.

In addition, access to satellite data is still generally expensive. In Russia, there are currently many companies that offer specialized platforms that combine data from drones and create field maps reflecting various indicators.

Unmanned aerial vehicles can map, inspect, and monitor crops, spray crops, monitor irrigation...

Ground observation

Drones are used to monitor soil and field conditions. They map field surfaces, allowing farmers to spot any anomalies, and map out drainage and dry spots so irrigation systems can be planned and used more efficiently.

They also help to analyze the salinity of the soil and the amount of elements in it, including nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. This allows farmers to plan crops more accurately, predict yields, and allocate fertilizers.

MapWire/US currently offers specialized software for drones capable of creating high-resolution field maps, as well as assessing soil health and other indicators using a set of measurement tools.

Cultivate

Modern drones have also begun to be used in sowing. Currently, new automatic drone seeders are mainly used in the forestry industry. Their use has special significance, making it possible to grow plants in hard-to-reach areas.

A team of two operators and ten drones can plant up to 400,000 trees a day. Such drones have been developed by Biocarbon Engineering/UK.

In Chuvashia/Russia, drones began to be used to grow potatoes. In the Samara region, drones have also been used to sow mustard and clover in fields. A conventional drone is capable of carrying up to 20kg of seeds

Unmanned aerial vehicles for application in agricultural spraying

Spraying and pollinating plants The drone can operate in fields at high speed, even in hard-to-reach areas. For example, they can be used for spraying on tea fields located at high altitudes. In particular, drones are equipped with high-precision nozzles that can target specific areas to maximize efficiency and save chemicals.

Typically, Precision AI/Canada's smart drones with high-resolution cameras are capable of identifying and spraying in needed areas with 96% accuracy.

China's DJI offers a dedicated Agras line of drones, equipped with radar, that allows chemical spraying of crops over an area of about 40 hectares per day.

Drones can also be used to pollinate crops. Products of the company Dropcopter/USA provide such a solution. When plants bloom, Dropcopter's drones can be programmed to fly between specific rows of plants to collect pollen, which will then distribute them to areas of need.

Drone pollination has been successfully tested in the US on several crops, including almonds, apples, cherries, and pears. In three years, cultivation yields have increased by 25–50%.

Pest control

Drones are not only capable of spreading chemicals but also can actively control pests in the field. For example, researchers from Wageningen University/Netherlands have introduced the PATES infrared camera system, which allows moths to be distinguished from other flying insects based on the frequency and size of their wings. After that, the drones will rise into the air and destroy insects.

Security Surveillance

The use of drones allows for observing the far corners of the field and monitoring all activities in the field. Security drones can be used to monitor valuable crops, helping to protect crops from wildlife and other hazards. Moreover, the monitoring process only takes minutes instead of hours.

Japan's DMM Agri Innovation, in collaboration with Niigata Prefecture, began using a drone complex equipped with cameras with infrared sensors and an artificial intelligence system that allows local farmers to protect farmland from wild boar attacks.

Drones can track the movement of animals even in the dark and map their activity. That data helps farmers erect fences and trap animals more efficiently.

DJI/China offers Mavic 3 Enterprise and Mavic 3 Thermal drones with thermal imaging that can be used to track wildlife in fields and identify fires. The Mavic 3E has a 20MP wide-angle camera, while the Mavic 3T has a 48MP wide-angle camera, with an effective control distance of up to 15 km.

Advantages of UAV application in creating field maps

1.Save time and effort: Compared to traditional methods, using UAVs saves farmers' time and effort. They can run through large fields in short periods and collect data quickly.

2.Enhanced toxicity: Thanks to technologies such as AI and advanced sensors, UAVs provide detailed and accurate information on crop health and soil quality.

3.Quick management response: With "smart" field maps, agricultural managers can detect specific problems early and take timely corrective measures. This increases yields and minimizes risks to crops.

Practical application and prospects

UAV and AI technologies have been successfully applied in many agricultural sectors around the globe. They are becoming a useful tool in ensuring crop yield and quality. In the future, drones will also be capable of automatically avoiding obstacles in their path. Thanks to this, they can be used to map farmland and inspect complex agricultural structures.

Source: vietnamnet.vn