Exploring the feasibility of using drones for seeding of rice (Oryza sativa. L.)

Rice planters worldwide face increasing challenges such as water scarcity, labor shortages and rising production costs. Traditional rice production techniques are time-consuming, labor-intensive, less economical, and more susceptible to the excessive use of farm inputs. These conditions necessitate an advanced crop establishment technique that offers higher returns with lower input and labor than traditional methods. A field study was performed to assess the viability of employing drones for rice planting compared to alternative establishment methods concerning rice productivity. The treatments consisted of four different seed rates (30, 40, 50, and 60 kg ha?¹) for drone seeding, compared with drum seeding, manual broadcasting, and transplanting. The performance of drone seeding was assessed using various growth and yield parameters. Transplanted rice exhibited significantly higher growth, yield parameters, and grain yield than other methods; however, it was economically inferior to direct seeding methods, either by drum seeder or drones. Direct seeding using a drum seeder at 30 kg ha?¹ and drone seeding at 40 kg ha?¹ produced comparable growth and yield. Notably, drone seeding with a 40 kg ha?¹ seed rate resulted in significantly higher growth, yield parameters, and overall yield than manual broadcasting. This method saved 20 kg ha?¹ of seeds and increased rice yield by 13% compared to manual broadcasting at 60 kg ha?¹. Considering the issues of labor scarcity, timeliness of operation, and cost of establishment, drone seeding at a rate of 40 kg ha?¹ is deemed a more sustainable and forward-looking technique for rice crop establishment.