Use of drones eliminates losses caused by machines in soybean plantations during pesticide application

The application of pesticides and foliar nutrition, normally carried out by tractors with spray tanks, results in some crushing of the soybeans. Where the machine wheels pass, it harms the plants, which are unable to complete their cycle, as this problem occurs, most of the time, with larger soybeans and in the final stages of their life. There are data on losses of 10% in productivity in the total area, due to this lodging of plants or even their death.

The use of drones in the field is changing this reality and facilitating safe handling, ease of operation, more effectiveness and greater efficiency. According to the sales director of EAVISION, a global drone company, operating worldwide since 2016, Julio Pignata Branco, among the advantages of using the agricultural drone, the planting system has verified the elimination of crushing of soybeans, speed in application , certainty of product contact with the plant, less drift, better reach, better assertiveness on targets such as fungi, insects or weeds. “In this way, the producer has fewer product losses and gains in the effectiveness of applications”, he points out. “In addition to the possibility of carrying out applications on more defined dates, as they are quick, thus setting the exact moment that the plant needs the products, especially for nutrition, which must be applied at the exact stage, for a better contribution to its metabolic processes”, details White.

Another operational advantage cited by Julio Pignata Branco is the product syrup, which does not need to be large, making it easier to handle and not having leftovers, avoiding waste, improper use of products and improving environmental sustainability. “Furthermore, the fact that drifts are reduced means that the products do not affect the surrounding nature, forests, animals, plantations, springs or rivers”, he states.