Effect of flight operative height and genotypes on conilon coffee spraying using an unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

This study analyzed the effect of operational flight height and conilon coffee genotypes in the deposition and uniformity of destruction in the plant’s canopy. The experiment was carried out with a randomized block design and treatments arranged in a factorial scheme, with three operational flight heights in relation to the coffee canopy and three genotypes of conilon coffee (Coffea canephora). The parameters evaluated were volume median diameter (VMD), density of drops and coverage (%). The interaction between flight height variables and canopy’s range was significant for the data on VMD variables, droplet density and coverage. According to the results, spray performance at an average height of 3.0 m is better than at 2.0 and 4.0 m. At 4.0 m, we observed a decrease in these variables, and this can be explained by a possible drift caused by the wind intensity and direction at higher heights. The coverage on the genotype A1 leaves was higher when compared to the other genotypes, although the height was significantly different only in this genotype, 8.1% at 4.0 m, we observed at this height the lowest coverage values. Key words: Remotely piloted aircraft; spray system; droplet uniformity; Water-sensitive paper; Coffea canephora.