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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Crop Science Research Laboratory » Corn Host Plant Resistance Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #336669
Title: Applications of unmanned aerial vehicles in weed science

Author
item CZARNECKI, J - Mississippi State University
item SAMIAPPAN, S. - Mississippi State University
item WASSON, L. - Mississippi State University
item MCCURDY, J. - Mississippi State University
item REYNOLDS, D. - Mississippi State University
item Williams, William
item MOORHEAD, R. - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Advances in Animal Biosciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/28/2017
Publication Date: 10/20/2017
Citation: Czarnecki, J.M., Samiappan, S., Wasson, L., McCurdy, J.D., Reynolds, D.B., Williams, W.P., Moorhead, R.J. 2017. Applications of unmanned aerial vehicles in weed science. ADVANCES IN ANIMAL BIOSCIENCES. 8:807-811. Https://doi.org/10.1017/S2040470017001339.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S2040470017001339

Interpretive Summary: For most farmers, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are a novelty that has not been used in their agricultural operations. UAVs will not fix every problem on the farm, but there are some practical applications for which UAVs have demonstrated value. The ultimate goal of remote sensing in weed science has generally been to sense the weed problem and spray for control, but identifying weeds and treating them effectively still has limitations on repeatability and reliability. Three examples of how UAVs have been used in weed science applications are presented here, and the methods are transferable to other agricultural commodities with similar characteristics. The first of these is quantification of the extent and severity of non-target herbicide injury. The second application is calculation of spray thresholds based on weed populations. The third application is development of site-specific herbicide treatment. The results of these studies will assist producers in making decisions about the use of UAVs in their farming operations.

Technical Abstract: For most producers, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are a novelty that has been little employed in their agricultural operations. An UAV will not fix every problem on the farm, but there are some practical applications for which UAVs have demonstrated value. Three examples of how UAVs have been used in weed science applications are presented here; the methods are transferable to other agricultural commodities with similar characteristics. The first of these is quantification of the extent and severity of non-target herbicide injury. The second application is calculation of spray thresholds based on weed populations. The third application is development of site-specific herbicide treatment.