System-level comparative analysis of aerial and ground-based implementations of precision crop protection application systems
Copyright (c) 2026 Hajnal Kornél, Békési Bertold
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Abstract
The development of precision crop protection is increasingly moving toward a platform-independent technological approach, where aerial and ground-based application systems are built upon the same operational principles while exhibiting different physical and operational characteristics. The performance of aerial systems is primarily influenced by aerodynamic and flight-dynamic factors affecting droplet distribution and spray drift, whereas ground-based systems rely on stable hydraulic and mechanical conditions to ensure uniform application. The aim of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of a multirotor drone and a tractor-trailed field sprayer under identical agronomic conditions using ULV technology. The research evaluates the operational characteristics, performance, time requirements, and efficiency of both platforms, followed by an assessment of application quality and operational applicability under standardized test conditions. The results highlight that the coordinated use of aerial and ground-based systems may provide significant advantages in precision crop protection.
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References
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