Efficacy trials for drone-based spraying in apple orchards are primarily conducted to evaluate the performance of various agrichemicals and application methods. The objectives are to optimize pest and disease control, improve pesticide utilization rates, and enhance fruit quality. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to establish a scientific, standardized aerial application protocol to advance plant protection technology in the apple industry.
Apple Efficacy Verification in Yantai and Weihai, Shandong.
EAVISION employed its crop protection drones for full-season crop management, utilizing various agrichemicals, flight parameters, and adjuvants at different growth stages. The study precisely measured droplet distribution within the apple tree canopy and comprehensively evaluated control efficacy, fruit quality, and pesticide residue levels. These data form the basis for EAVISION’s standardized green aerial application protocol.
In May 2021, trials were conducted in Haiyang, Yantai City, Shandong Province, on 7-year-old "Yanfu No. 3" apple trees.
Tree Characteristics: Height ranged from 2.5 to 4 meters.
Planting Specs: Row and plant spacing were both 3–4 meters; planting density was 100–110 trees/mu.
Sampling Method: Water-sensitive paper (WSP) was placed on both the adaxial (front) and abaxial (back) surfaces of leaves at the Upper, Middle, and Lower canopy layers across five orientations (East, West, South, North, and Center).
Results and Analysis
1. Droplet Density & Coverage
Overall Density: Upper Canopy > Middle Canopy > Lower Canopy.
Front of Leaf (Adaxial): Upper > Middle > Lower.
Back of Leaf (Abaxial): Upper > Lower > Middle.
2. Water Volume & Efficiency
EAVISION Drone: Applied 8 L/mu, taking approximately 3 min/mu.
Conventional Machinery: Applied an average of 68.75 L/mu, taking 25 min/mu.
Conclusion: The EAVISION drone operation was approximately 8 times more efficient than conventional mechanical spraying.
3. Pest Control & Growth Status
Compared to conventional machinery treatment, the drone-treated area showed significantly less fruit russeting around the pedicel (stem). The trial successfully incorporated Wettable Powder (WP) formulations with no nozzle clogging issues. WSP analysis indicated good chemical coverage across all sampled areas, demonstrating significant preventive efficacy against pests and diseases.