Variable-rate drone sprayer technology for precision crop protection in India

Overview

Conventional pesticide spraying in India relies on high-volume techniques that consume over 100 liters of water per 0.25 acres of cropland, driving up costs and time requirements while reducing efficiency. The Krishi PS-1925 drone sprayer platform addresses these challenges by delivering precision crop protection with significantly reduced spray solution volumes.

This technology is designed for Indian agricultural conditions and aims to lower input costs, accelerate spraying operations, and improve application efficiency. Future development will introduce variable-rate spraying capabilities, enabling site-specific pesticide application guided by prescription maps and crop health data captured through scouting drones and AI/ML analytics.

Technical specifications

Validated performance parameters:

• Tested across three application heights, four ground speeds, and four repetitions with three nozzle types
• Nozzle spectrum evaluated: Fine (~200–250 microns), Medium (~300–350 microns), and Medium to Coarse (~350–400 microns)
• Spray solution mixed with liquid fluorescent dye and surfactant at 0.25% by volume to replicate commercial plant protection products
• Droplet deposition measured using water-sensitive paper to assess drop size, number, coverage, and drift characteristics
• Preliminary trials conducted during the October–November 2020 pea crop cycle (AP 3, GS 10 varieties) across 1 hectare

Planned technical capabilities:

• Variable-rate spraying driven by prescription maps generated from crop health scouting data
• AI/ML-enabled automated decision-making for site-specific application
• Expansion to ULV (Ultra-Low Volume) applications for mango and apple orchards
• Comparative droplet deposition, cost-sensitivity, and optimum parameter studies

Technology readiness level

The platform has completed preliminary research and calibration studies for pea crops, including standardization of nozzle choice, operating height, operating speed, and swath width. It is currently at an early-to-mid stage of validation, with field-tested performance data on droplet spectrum and coverage.

Next steps include regulatory certifications through CIB&RC and DGCA, patent development supported by an industry partner, and expanded field validation across orchard crops. The variable-rate spraying module remains in the development phase, with ongoing work on prescription mapping and AI-driven automation before full commercial deployment.