Comparative Evaluation of Ultra-Low-Volume Nozzle Configurations for UAV Spraying in Mango Orchards Under Semi-Arid Conditions in Northern India
Efficient pesticide delivery in mango orchards is hindered by tall canopies and dense foliage. This study evaluated two ultra-low-volume (ULV) nozzles—TeeJet XR and HYPRO rotary—mounted on an indigenous multirotor drone during flowering and fruit-set stages in ‘Dashehari’ mango. HYPRO achieved 14% higher lower-canopy penetration, while TeeJet provided better upper coverage. Droplet spectra differed by 58 µm. UAV-based ULV spraying reduced carrier water by 97% and CO2-equivalent emissions by 99% compared to air-blast methods. Results underscore the importance of nozzle selection and support UAV adoption for climate-smart, resource-efficient horticulture in India.
Authors
- Vineet Tiwari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5928-8577)
- Pritish Kumar Varadwaj (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5706-2411)
- Shefali Vinod Ramteke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4867-2417)
Institutions
- Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad (IN)
Publication Details
- Published
- 2025-09-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/blsf2025047004
- Primary Topic
- Plant Surface Properties and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00