By Blake Jackson
Spray drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are becoming an increasingly common tool for applying foliar fungicides to corn fields across Kentucky.
According to Dr. Kiersten Wise, University of Kentucky Extension Plant Pathologist, studies conducted by the university show that drone applications can deliver disease control comparable to ground sprayers and traditional manned aircraft when the equipment is operated using proper spray settings.
The research, supported in part by the Kentucky Corn Growers Association, has been published in the University of Kentucky Corn Research Reports and the peer-reviewed journal PhytoFrontiers.
Findings from Kentucky have also been combined with results from similar studies conducted across the United States to create a practical Extension guide through the Crop Protection Network.
The publication, Best Practices for Foliar Fungicide Applications with Spray Drones, provides recommendations to help applicators maximize spray performance and improve fungicide coverage. A major focus of the guide is determining the correct swath width for individual drone models.
It also outlines effective testing methods and explains how adjusting swath width can improve application accuracy, increase crop protection, and deliver more consistent fungicide performance in corn production.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-luc-pouliot
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Corn