A Technical Study on UAV Characteristics for Precision Agriculture Applications and Associated Practical Challenges

TLDR

UAVs equipped with advanced technologies have enabled precision agriculture by boosting productivity and efficiency, yet their use is limited by resolution constraints, weather dependence, and the need for geometric and radiometric corrections. This study presents a practical guide for selecting UAVs and onboard sensors for precision agriculture by characterizing common UAV types and their constraints. The authors reviewed over a hundred research studies on UAV applications and practical challenges in monitoring and mapping field crops. They conclude with suggestions and future directions to overcome these challenges and enhance operational proficiency.

Abstract

The incorporation of advanced technologies into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) platforms have enabled many practical applications in Precision Agriculture (PA) over the past decade. These PA tools offer capabilities that increase agricultural productivity and inputs’ efficiency and minimize operational costs simultaneously. However, these platforms also have some constraints that limit the application of UAVs in agricultural operations. The constraints include limitations in providing imagery of adequate spatial and temporal resolutions, dependency on weather conditions, and geometric and radiometric correction requirements. In this paper, a practical guide on technical characterizations of common types of UAVs used in PA is presented. This paper helps select the most suitable UAVs and on-board sensors for different agricultural operations by considering all the possible constraints. Over a hundred research studies were reviewed on UAVs applications in PA and practical challenges in monitoring and mapping field crops. We concluded by providing suggestions and future directions to overcome challenges in optimizing operational proficiency.