Droplet distribution and mitigation of occupational exposure risk in eucalyptus sprout eradication using a remotely piloted aircraft
The use of remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) for foliar application of pesticides and fertilizers has increased worldwide in several agricultural crops. However, there is little information on the efficiency and factors connected to application and spraying quality of RPAs in forestry, mainly for er...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1504608/full |
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| author | Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro Edney Leandro da Vitória Edney Leandro da Vitória Halisson Pereira Bastos Jacimar Vieira Zanelato José de Assis Martins Júnior Alexandre de Vicente Ferraz Thales Gomes dos Santos Francisco de Assis Ferreira João Victor Oliveira Ribeiro Samuel de Assis Silva Pengchao Chen |
| author_facet | Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro Edney Leandro da Vitória Edney Leandro da Vitória Halisson Pereira Bastos Jacimar Vieira Zanelato José de Assis Martins Júnior Alexandre de Vicente Ferraz Thales Gomes dos Santos Francisco de Assis Ferreira João Victor Oliveira Ribeiro Samuel de Assis Silva Pengchao Chen |
| author_sort | Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) for foliar application of pesticides and fertilizers has increased worldwide in several agricultural crops. However, there is little information on the efficiency and factors connected to application and spraying quality of RPAs in forestry, mainly for eradication of eucalyptus sprouts. The objective of this work was to evaluate droplet distribution and deposition on eucalyptus sprouts and the risk of exposure for applicators using an RPA (DJI AGRAS T40) at different theoretical application ranges (7.0, 9.0, and 11.0 m) and droplet sizes (150, 300, and 450µm) compared to a manual electric backpack sprayer (MEBS). The spray solution was composed of water, brilliant blue dye, and adjuvant. Water-sensitive paper cards and flexible polyvinyl chloride cards were positioned on different eucalyptus sprout canopy layers (ESCL) (upper, middle, and lower) to evaluate droplet distribution and deposition. Disposable coveralls, gloves, and respirators were used to evaluate the risk of occupational exposure. The results showed that the application ranges of 7.0 and 9.0 m with droplet sizes of 150µm and 300µm resulted in better droplet distribution throughout the ESCLs. However, the 450µm droplet size resulted in concentration of droplets in the upper ESCL. Using an MEBS resulted in greater heterogeneity in droplet distribution and approximately a 160-fold higher accumulation of droplets on different applicator’s body parts compared to the RPA. The results confirmed the efficiency and operational safety of using RPAs for the application of agricultural pesticides and foliar fertilizers in eucalyptus plantations, as well as providing valuable contributions for future research on these practices in eucalyptus cultivation. |
| first_indexed | 2025-02-16T21:36:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0a4e68bc075d4bb58d1bbb2851de66d7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-02-16T21:36:34Z |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-0a4e68bc075d4bb58d1bbb2851de66d72025-01-17T06:50:59ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-01-011510.3389/fpls.2024.15046081504608Droplet distribution and mitigation of occupational exposure risk in eucalyptus sprout eradication using a remotely piloted aircraftLuis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro0Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro1Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro2Edney Leandro da Vitória3Edney Leandro da Vitória4Halisson Pereira Bastos5Jacimar Vieira Zanelato6José de Assis Martins Júnior7Alexandre de Vicente Ferraz8Thales Gomes dos Santos9Francisco de Assis Ferreira10João Victor Oliveira Ribeiro11Samuel de Assis Silva12Pengchao Chen13Department of Agricultural and Biological Sciences (DCAB), Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), São Mateus, ES, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Tropical Agriculture (PPGAT), Federal University of Espirito Santo, São Mateus, ES, BrazilEmflora Forestry Services and Enterprises, Remote Aeroagricultural Department, São Mateus, ES, BrazilDepartment of Agricultural and Biological Sciences (DCAB), Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), São Mateus, ES, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Tropical Agriculture (PPGAT), Federal University of Espirito Santo, São Mateus, ES, BrazilEmflora Forestry Services and Enterprises, Remote Aeroagricultural Department, São Mateus, ES, BrazilEmflora Forestry Services and Enterprises, Remote Aeroagricultural Department, São Mateus, ES, BrazilEmflora Forestry Services and Enterprises, Remote Aeroagricultural Department, São Mateus, ES, BrazilInstitute of Forest Research and Studies (IPEF), Piracicaba, SP, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Tropical Agriculture (PPGAT), Federal University of Espirito Santo, São Mateus, ES, BrazilDepartment of Agricultural and Biological Sciences (DCAB), Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), São Mateus, ES, BrazilDepartment of Agricultural and Biological Sciences (DCAB), Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), São Mateus, ES, BrazilDepartment of Rural Engineering, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Alegre, ES, BrazilNational Center for International Collaboration Research on Precision Agricultural Aviation Pesticides Spraying Technology, College of Electronic Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe use of remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) for foliar application of pesticides and fertilizers has increased worldwide in several agricultural crops. However, there is little information on the efficiency and factors connected to application and spraying quality of RPAs in forestry, mainly for eradication of eucalyptus sprouts. The objective of this work was to evaluate droplet distribution and deposition on eucalyptus sprouts and the risk of exposure for applicators using an RPA (DJI AGRAS T40) at different theoretical application ranges (7.0, 9.0, and 11.0 m) and droplet sizes (150, 300, and 450µm) compared to a manual electric backpack sprayer (MEBS). The spray solution was composed of water, brilliant blue dye, and adjuvant. Water-sensitive paper cards and flexible polyvinyl chloride cards were positioned on different eucalyptus sprout canopy layers (ESCL) (upper, middle, and lower) to evaluate droplet distribution and deposition. Disposable coveralls, gloves, and respirators were used to evaluate the risk of occupational exposure. The results showed that the application ranges of 7.0 and 9.0 m with droplet sizes of 150µm and 300µm resulted in better droplet distribution throughout the ESCLs. However, the 450µm droplet size resulted in concentration of droplets in the upper ESCL. Using an MEBS resulted in greater heterogeneity in droplet distribution and approximately a 160-fold higher accumulation of droplets on different applicator’s body parts compared to the RPA. The results confirmed the efficiency and operational safety of using RPAs for the application of agricultural pesticides and foliar fertilizers in eucalyptus plantations, as well as providing valuable contributions for future research on these practices in eucalyptus cultivation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1504608/fulleucalyptus ssp.forestrydroplet depositionapplication technologyrisk of exposurespray drift |
| spellingShingle | Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro Luis Felipe Oliveira Ribeiro Edney Leandro da Vitória Edney Leandro da Vitória Halisson Pereira Bastos Jacimar Vieira Zanelato José de Assis Martins Júnior Alexandre de Vicente Ferraz Thales Gomes dos Santos Francisco de Assis Ferreira João Victor Oliveira Ribeiro Samuel de Assis Silva Pengchao Chen Droplet distribution and mitigation of occupational exposure risk in eucalyptus sprout eradication using a remotely piloted aircraft Frontiers in Plant Science eucalyptus ssp. forestry droplet deposition application technology risk of exposure spray drift |
| title | Droplet distribution and mitigation of occupational exposure risk in eucalyptus sprout eradication using a remotely piloted aircraft |
| title_full | Droplet distribution and mitigation of occupational exposure risk in eucalyptus sprout eradication using a remotely piloted aircraft |
| title_fullStr | Droplet distribution and mitigation of occupational exposure risk in eucalyptus sprout eradication using a remotely piloted aircraft |
| title_full_unstemmed | Droplet distribution and mitigation of occupational exposure risk in eucalyptus sprout eradication using a remotely piloted aircraft |
| title_short | Droplet distribution and mitigation of occupational exposure risk in eucalyptus sprout eradication using a remotely piloted aircraft |
| title_sort | droplet distribution and mitigation of occupational exposure risk in eucalyptus sprout eradication using a remotely piloted aircraft |
| topic | eucalyptus ssp. forestry droplet deposition application technology risk of exposure spray drift |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1504608/full |
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