Fundecitrus research validates the use of a drone for chemical control of the insect that transmits greening

Research carried out by Fundecitrus demonstrated the efficiency of using drones for the chemical control of the psyllid, the insect that transmits greening. The objective is for this to be a complementary tool for managing the disease within citrus properties.

In the study, the applications proved to be effective in controlling adult insects, achieving mortality rates above 80%. The work is pioneering, as there is no record of the use of drones for the chemical control of psyllids in western citrus farming, and was carried out in partnership with the startup Anáhata Serviços Agronomicos.

Practicality and agility in applications

Data from the annual greening survey carried out by Fundecitrus show that the disease has reached the highest level of incidence since its identification in the country in 2004 – it is present in 22,37% of orange trees in the citrus belt, which is equivalent to more than 43 million sick trees.

As there is no cure, attempts are made to prevent infection of new plants through a series of integrated measures that must be adopted inside and outside commercial orchards.

For Fundecitrus researcher Marcelo Miranda, responsible for the study, the drone is another alternative among the recommended measures, combining science and technology. “The drone has a spray tank attached to its structure and can complement ground spraying carried out with tractors and replace airplanes in some situations, adding new possibilities to the citrus grower”, he comments.

The drone has the advantage of reaching difficult-to-access plots, border strips (regardless of the planting direction and relief) and also stands out in emergency applications, which need to be carried out quickly – such as after periods of intense rain, which remove the products and leave plants unprotected, and in the event of a psyllid population peak, which can result in operational difficulties as it requires rapid displacement of equipment that is in use to manage other pests and diseases.

Furthermore, the drone requires less investment and infrastructure compared to planes, as it does not need a landing strip, benefiting small and medium-sized citrus growers. It also benefits the environment, as there is no burning of fossil fuels.

The operation is fully automated, and begins with the parameterization of the area to be treated by georeferencing. Through an application, all necessary settings are made, without the need for manual control of the equipment.

The use of drones for spraying is an advance in controlling the disease, says Miranda. “It is another step towards maintaining the health, competitiveness and sustainability of Brazilian citrus farming”, she emphasizes. “The technology is already validated and producers who want to use it can look for a specialized company to purchase a drone or rent the service”, she explains.

There are also prospects for using drones to control other citrus pests and diseases and for the application of biological products.