Environmental impact assessment of drone-based pesticide application versus conventional spraying methods

Abstract

Anyone who has watched a crop-dusting plane will have noticed spray drifting beyond the target. This research compared drone (UAV), tractor boom, and manned aerial pesticide application across six rice fields in the Po Valley, Italy (2022-2023). Drone application deposited 96% of spray on-target versus 81% for tractor and 76% for aerial. Drift at 10 m was 1.8% for drones versus 12.4% and 17.8%. Drones reduced water body contamination by 84% versus aerial and cut carbon emissions from 18.7 to 3.2 kg CO₂/ha. Drones offer a measurably cleaner approach to pesticide delivery.