Autonomous Drones in Agriculture Standard Operating Protocols for Agrochemical Application in Field Crops 0 Greener Tanarrow,. PROFESSOR JAYASHANKAR TELANGANA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY Rajendranagar, Hyderabad- $00 030, Telangana State wwwepitsaueduinModernizing Agriculture Farming in India is critical to global agricultural crop production and food security. Accounting for approximately 2.4% of the world's total arable land, 4.0 % of global water resources, India is the 2” largest agricultural commodities producing country, feeding about 18% of the global population. In 2020, India's total crop production output was valued at USD 400 billion. Achievements at this scale, however, have come at a cost. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the volume of crop protection products India consumes annually is on the rise and between 2010-11. and 2020-21, there has been a growth of 11.19% in the overall consumption of pesticides in the country, from 58,634 metric tonnes to 62,193 metric tonnes. The overuse of agrochemicals (pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilisers) and irrigation has led to soil degradation and contamination of water bodies. Injudicious use of pesticides has led to problems of resistance, resurgence and residues. Non-target effects of exposure of humans and the environment to pesticide residues are a continuing concern. Rapid urbanisation and ageing farming population are also posing threats to the world's 2” largest food producer. India’s total population is estimated to have increased by 146 million over the past decade to reach 1.38 billion. The agriculture sector faces an increasing shortage of manpower owing to rural-urban migration and an ageing population. With asymmetrical labour supply and demand for crop output to sustain and grow India's agriculture production, the Indian government and domestic drone manufacturers are leveraging Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technological tools and automation to address future agricultural challenges.Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural Univesity Drone Technology — An enabler of Smart Farming DRONE (Dynamic Remotely Operated Navigation Equipment) or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is an aircraft that can fly and stay airborne without a human pilot on board, able to perform critical farm operations without risking a human's safety, and operating more cost effectively than equivalent manned systems. Based on the aerodynamic flight principles, drones are classified into two major types: (i) Fixed-wing and (i) Multi-rotor. An aerial agrachemical (pesticide, fungicide, herbicide, defoliant etc) spraying drone with basic components is shown in Fig. 1 of * aa olf Spraying System: 1. Tank (10 L), 2. Flowmeter, 3. Peristaltic Pump, ene Ground and 4, Centrifugal Atomization Nozzle (0.54 Limin) ‘ontroller Digital Antennae Nozzle (4 No.) } cam Rotors (4No.) ‘17% aJl'\ atic High Precision 19 Technology Motor Real-Time Ki ~SLanding Gear 1 t Frame Arms 1 Peristaltic PumpIndia— Drone Spray Initiatives To remove all unnecessary operational and entry barriers and to create a strong drone ecosystem in the country and to make India a global hub for drones by 2030, Government of india has taken up several initiatives, as follows. © Release of Unmanned Aircraft System (Drone) Rules, 2021 by Ministry of Civil Aviation on 12” March 2021 with an aim to strike a balance between safety and operatability of UAVs, © Toaddress the strategic, tactical and operational uses of drone technology Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) was launched on 16" September 2021 for manufacturers of drone and drone components. © Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) launched a colour-coded and interactive Drone Airspace Map of India on 24” September 2021, that would allow civilians to operate drones with provision of no drone flight permission up to 400 eetin green zones, and up to 200 feet in the area between 8 and 12 km. from the airport perimeter. © UAS Traffic Management Policy Framework for national Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) notified on 24” October 2021, allows both private and public service providers to manage drone trafficin the country, © Release of Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare on 21” December 2021 for spraying of agrochemicals (pesticides, fungicides, herbicides etc.) using drones to accelerate mechanization in crop protection with an aim to increase efficiency and efficacy of applied agrochemicals or pest control © Abusiness-friendly, Single Window Digital Sky Platform launched by Aviation Ministry on 26" January 2022. © Issue of notification forban of import of foreign drones from 9" February 2022 by the Director General of Foreign Trade, Government of india. © Issue of Gazette notification on Drone (Amendment) Rules 2022 by Ministry of Civil Aviation on 11" February 2022 © Issue ofinterim approval for registered pesticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators on 18" April 2022 by MoA & FW for commercial use through drones. fortwo years. ‘© Organising a National Conference on “Promoting Kisan Drones: Issues, Challenges and the Way Ahead” on 2" May 2022 by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer Welfare, Government of India, © Nopilotlicence required for micro drones (fornon-commercial use), nano drones and for R&D organisations under State Agricultural Universities and Indian Council of Agricultural Research © Norequirement of certificate of airworthiness, unique identification number, prior permission and remote pilotlicence for R&D entities.Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University Suitability to diverse agri-horticultural crops and cropping systems and specialty crops such as tea, coffee, oil palm and cardamom crops. Provide viable cost-effective option on smallholder fragmented, irregular, complex steep slopes, hill-sides and mountain terrains Precise application of agrochemicals, higher penetration and droplet deposition ability. Higher control efficiency (4.3 to 15%) owing to improved spray coverage, droplet density and droplet deposition uniformity on the target crop. Higher field capacity ie., area coverage per unit time (13 to 18 times higher than conventional manual spraying by knapsack sprayer) depending on the crop. Saving (20 to 93%) in agrochemical (pesticide, fungicide and herbicide) use rates. Improved pesticide use efficiency (12.6 to 45.3%) due to higher total deposition on target crop and less ground losses. Enables most economical, rapid, efficient and effective application of agrochemicals in short span of time for crop pest and pathogen control, allowing for speedy responses to sudden pest outbreaks. Improved pesticide resistance management. Meagre water use (92 to 95% lower) for agrochemical spraying relative to conventional knapsack and boom sprayer. Reduced risk of health hazard owing to 2 ~ 3 orders of magnitude less dermal exposure of applicators to pesticides and lower postural discomfort. Drones proved a useful, faster, cheaper and more effective substitute for labourers in farming (3 ~ 4 times higher labour productivity) for performing operations such as spraying of agrochemicals (pesticides, fungicides, herbicides etd). Development of certified spraying professionals providing customized application services to farmers, thereby creating new skilled employmentand entrepreneurship potential in rural India, Finally produce higher crop yields (3.7 to 22.5%), cost effectiveness, enhanced farm retumns, negligible pesticide residues, food safety, and ecosystem sustainability. In summary UAVs help in precise detection of pest and pathogen infestation in cropped fields, allow to respond rapidly and timely, enable effective and efficient spraying of agrochemicals (pesticide, fungicide and herbicide) on target crop, using appropriate drone type under preferred weather conditions, maintaining optimum UAV fight height, fight speed, swath width and spray volume to produce desired droplet size and uniform droplet deposition contributing to higher pesticide use efficiency and chemical saving, higher contol efficiency, low labour requirement, higher working efficiency with vast area coverage, higher cop yields, cost efficiency, enhanced farm returns, food safety, and ecosystem sustainabilityLocation Rice Research Centre, ARI, Rajendranaga, Hyderabad. ‘AgriStartup Partner Marut Dronetech Private Limited, Hyderabad Drone model AGRICOPTOR AG36S5 with UIN ~ UAOO132S1EX and HEPICOPTOR with UIN — UAOOOGU Nozzle type XR 11002VP (Extended range — Flat fan) Number of nozales Four Optimum fight height above 25m ‘op canopy Optimum fight speed 28-44 msec ‘Spray Volume ‘© At maximum tillering stage 25 ltestha © After maximum illering stage 40 litersha Optimum time of spray 6.00 ~ 9.00 AM and 3.00~ 6.00 PM Chlorantraniiprole 18.5 SC @ 150 mi/ha to booting stage Acephate 50 +Imidacoprid 1.8 SP @ 750 giha Brown plant hopper at Tflumezopyrimi0 SC @ 240 mina reproductive stage Pymetrozine 50 WG @ 300 giha Dinotefuran 20 SG @ 200 gfha Grain discolouration Tebuconazole 25Tillorystrobin 50 (75 WG) @ 200 ha At 25% flowering stage Propiconazole 25 EC @ 500 mltha Azoxystrbin 18.2 +Difenoconazole 11.4 SC @ 500 mi/ha Attudelm) Flow (UM) a7 aay 2 Cece ec) 75.5 10.7 ~0.63 Phytotoxicity No cop damage observed attested concentrations to CHarantranliprole 18.5 SC, Tebuconazole 25+ Tifloxystrobin 50 (751) and Propiconazole 25 EC alone or Pesticide combinations of (Mancozeb 50 + Carbendazim 25 WP) + (Acephate 50 ++ Imidacloprid 1.8 SPy,Chlorantraniliprole 185 SC + (Pcoxysttobin 7 + Propiconazole 12 €),Cartap hydrochloride 50 SP + (Mancozeb 50 + Carbendazim 25 WS), Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC + (Flupyroxad 62.5 + Epoxiconazole 62.5 EC) and CChorantraniliprole 18.5 SC + (Azoxystobin 18.2 + Ditenoconazole 11.4 SC) Impact on beneficial fauna Pesticide residues Safe for Coccnelids, Spiders and Mid bugs Chorantraniliprole 18.5 SC and Tebuconazole 25 +Tioxystrabin 50 (75 WC) not detected in soi and grain Control Efficiency ‘© Drone Spray © Knapsack Spray Field Capacity ‘© Drone Spray (© Kapsack Spray Water Saving by drones cover Knapsack Spray 81.8 10 94.8% 11.710 82.8% Bhalday (20.0 acesday) 2 halday (6.0 acesiday) 92.010 95.0% Labour Productivity ‘© Drone Spray (© Kapsack Spray 4.0 hallabour day (10.0 acreslabour day) + Ohaflabour day (2.5 acesiabour day) Saving in time by Drone Spray 15% over Knapsack Spray eld improvement by Drone 8510 21.0% Spray over Knapsack SprayLocation Regional Agricultural Research Station, Warangal ‘Agri-Startup Partner ‘Marut Dronetech Pivate Limited, Hyderabad Drone model ‘AGRICOPTOR AG36S with UIN — UAOOT32STEX and HEPICOPTOR with UIN - UAOOOGU Nozzle type XR 11002V° (Extended range - Flat fan) Number of nozzles Four ‘Optimum fight height 2.0 m above crop canopy Optimum fight speed 2.7 mise Spray Volume 40 uha Optimum time of spray 6.00 - 9.00 AM and 3.00 — 6.00 PM Sucking Pests: Aphids, Jassids, Thrips and White flies Flonicamid 50 SG @ 150 g/ha Pink bollworm Spinetoram 11.7 SC @ 450 mifha Leaf spot diseases Tebuconazole 50 ~ Tifloxystrobin 25 (75 WG) @ 300 g/ha Grey mildew ‘Metiram 55 + Pyracostrabin 5 (60 WG) @ 1500 ghha Phytotoxicity No crop damage observed attested concentration to Flonicamid 50 SG, Spinetoram 11.7 SC, Monocrotophos 36 SL, Profenophos 50 EC, Acephate 75 SP Diafenthiuron 50 We Fipronl SSC, Imidacloprid 17.8 SL, Acetamiprid 20 Sp Carbendazim 50 WP Propiconazole 25 EC, Kresoxim ‘methyl 44.3 SC or their combinations viz, Chlorpytiphos 50 + Cypetmethrin 5 EC, Tebuconazole SO + Tiflorstrobin 25 WG, Metiram 55 + Pyraclostrobin 5 (60 WG), Carbendazim 12 + Mancozeb 63 WP Azoxystrobin 18.2 + Difenoconazole 11.4 SC Impact on beneficial fauna Safe for Cocinellds & Spiders Pesticide residues Not applicable Control Efficiency ‘© Drone Spray 36.0 to 40.0% © Knapsack Spray 15.010 20.0% Field Capacity Drone Spray 8.0 halday (20.0 acresiday) 1 Knapsack Spray 2.0 hafday (5.0 acresiday) ‘Water Saving by drones: 92.0% ver Knapsack Spray Labour Productivity ‘© Drone Spray 4.0 hallabour day (10.0 acresjlabour day) © Knapsack Spray 1.0 hallabour day (2.5 acresilabour day) Saving in time by Drone Spray cover Knapsack Spray Yield improvement by Drone Spray over Knapsack Spray 75% 11.710 22.5%(5) oto sana ong Sate Atal nvesty Ba Location Agricultural Research Station, Tandur,Vkarabad Dist ‘Agri-Startup Partner ‘Marut Dronetech Private Limited, Hyderabad Drone model ‘AGRICOPTOR AG36S with VIN — UAOOT32S1EX and HEPICOPTOR with UIN - UAOOOGU Nozzle type XR 11002V°P (Extended range - Flat fan) Number of nozales Four ‘Optimum flight height 2.0 m above the crop canopy Optimum flight speed 4.0 -5.0 msec ‘Spray Volume a0 uha ‘Optimum time of spray 6.00 9,00 AM and 3,00 ~ 6.00 PM “Gram Pod borer and Spotted Emamecin Benzoate 5 56 @ 200 giha ppod borer CChlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 mlha Flonicamid 50 SG @ 150 hha ‘Alternaria leaf spot Metiram 55 ++ Pyradastrobin 5 (60 WG) @ 1500 ghha Phytotoxicity 'No crop damage observed attested concentrations to Monocrotophos 36 SL, Chlorpyrifos 20 EC, Quinalphos 25 EC, Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, Flubendiamide 39.35 SC, Indoxacarb 14.50 SC, Emamecin Benzoate 5 SG, Spinosad 45 SC, Novaluron 5.25 + Indoxacarb 4.50 SC, Metiram $5 + Pyraclostrobin5 (60 WG) and Chlorantranliprole 9.30 + Lambda-cyhalathin 4.6 ZC Impact on beneficial fauna Safe for Coccnelis and Spiders Pesticide residues Both Chlorananlprole 18.5 SC and Emamecin Benzoate 5 SG not detected in soll and seds “Control Efficiency © Drone Spray 718 to 100.0% 1 Knapsack Spray 142t094.7% Field Capacity © Drone spray 12 halday (18.0 acresiday) 1 Knapsack Spray 15 halday (3.75 acesday) ‘Water Saving by drones 92.0% over Knapsack Spray Labour Productivity © Drone Spray 3.6 ha/labour day (9.0 acres/labour day) © Knapsack Spray 0.75 hallabour day (1.9 acres/labour day) “Saving in time by Drone Spray 79% ‘over Knapsack Spray Yield improvement by Drone 159%0 185% Spray over Knapsack Spray see A hee en Salat go Sil os Sig Px. = sidan sang cer enh nh me * seLS = Standard Drone Aerial Spray Protocols For Crop Protection in Soybean Part Standard Operating Protocol Location Regional Agricukral Research Station, Polasa,Jatial ‘Agi-Startup Partner Marat Dronetech Private Limited, Hyderabad 1) Drone Spray Parameters Drone mode! 'AGRICOPTOR AG3ES with UIN — UAOO132STEX and HEPICOPTOR with UIN — UADOOGU Nozzle type XR 11002VP (Extended range = Fat fan) ‘Number of nozzles Four Optimum flight height 20m ‘Optimum fight speed 3.0mis ‘Spray Volume 35 ha Optimum time of spray 6.00 ~ 9.00 AM and 3,00 6.00 PM. 2) Pests and Pesticide Formulations Leaf eating caterpillar Chlorantraniprle 18.5 SC @ 150 mlha 3) Diseases and Fungicide Formulations ‘Anthracnose Carbendarim 12 + Mancozeb 63 WP @ 1250 giha 4) Risk to Crops and Environment Phytotoxicity No crop damage observed attested concentrations to Chlorantaniprole 185 SC and Carbendazim 12 + Mancozeb 63 WP Impact on beneficial fauna Safe for Coccinlids Pesticide residues Not verified 5) Efficiency indices Control Efficiency © Dione Spray 63.6 10 76.1% © knapsack Spray 62.9 070.1% Field Capacity © Drone Spray 8.0 halday (20.0 acesiday) © knapsack Spray 2.0 halday (5.0 actesiday) Water Saving by drones 93.0% ‘over Knapsack Spray Labour Productivity © Drone Spray 4.0 hallabour day (10.0 acresiabour day) © knapsack Spray 1.0 hallabour day (2.5 aceslabour day) ‘Saving in time by Drone Spray 75% ‘over Knapsack Spray ‘Yield improvement by Drone 3.710 6.6% Spray over Knapsack SprayLocation Agri-Startup Partner Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem, Nagarkutnoo! Dist Marut ronetech Private Limited, Hyderabad Drone mode! [AGRICOPTOR AG3E5 with UIN ~ UAOO132STEX and HEPICOPTOR with UIN— UA000GU Nozzle type XR 17002VP (Extended range - Flat fan) ‘Number of nozzles Four Optimum fight height 20m Optimum fight speed 2Imis ‘Spray Volume 40 ha ‘Optimum time of spray 6,009.00 AM and 3.00 6.00 PM Spodoptera Chloratraniiprole 185 SC 150 mlfha Leafhopper Thiamethoxam 25 WG 250 giha Leaf spats Tebuconazole 25.9 £C500 mifha Phytotoxicity No crop damage observed attested concentrations to Chlorantaniliprole 18.5 SC, Tebuconazole 25.9 EC, Tiamethoxam 25 WG and Chlorantrailiprole 18.5 SC+ Tebuconazole 25.9 EC Impact on beneficial fauna Safe for Coccinlids Pesticide residues CChlorantraniiprle 18.5 SC not detected in sll and pods Control Efficiency © Drone Spray 100% © knapsack Spray 85.0 t0 92.7% Field Capacity © Drone Spray 8.0 halday (20.0 acesiday) © knapsack Spray 2.0 halday (5.0 actesiday) Water Saving by drones 92.0% over Knapsack Spray labour Productivity © Drone Spray © knapsack Spray 4.0 hallabour day (10.0 acresfabour day) 1.0 hallabour day (25 acresilabour day) ‘Saving in time by Drone Spray 75% ‘over knapsack Spray ‘Yield improvement by Drone 85 109.6% Spray over Knapsack SprayLocation Regional Agricultural Research Staton, Polasa Jagtial ‘Agri-Startup Partner Marut Dronetech Private Limited, Hyderabad Drone model 'AGRICOPTOR AG3ES with UIN — UAOOTS2S1EX and HEPICOPTOR with UIN - UADOOGU Nozzle type XR 11002VP (Extended range - Fat fan) Number of nozzles Four ‘Optimum flight height 20m Optimum flight speed 27 ms Spray Volume 40Uha ‘Optimum time of spray 6.00-$,00 AM and 3.00 — 6.00 PM Leaf Webber and Capsule Borer Chlorantrailiprole 18.5 SC @ 150 mitha Powdery mildew Myclobutanil 10 WP @ 500 giha Phytotoxiity No crop damage observed attested concentrations to Acephate 75 SP Chlorpyriphos 20 EC, Impact on beneficial fauna Pesticide residues CChlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, Profenophos 50 EC and Mydobutanl 10 WP Safe for Coccineds Myclobutanil 10 WP not detected in soil and seeds Control Efficiency ‘© Drone Spray 81.1 t0 88.8% (© Knapsack Spray 7.110 83.4% Field Capacity ‘© Drone Spray 8.0 halday (19.7 acresday) © Knapsack Spray 2.0 ha/day (5.0 acresiéay) Water Saving by drones 92.0% cover Knapsack Spray Labour Productivity © Drone Spray (© Knapsack Spray Saving in time by Drone Spray 4.0 hallabour day (10.0 acresfabour day) 1.0 hallabour day (25 acres/labour day) over Knapsack Spray 15% Yield improvement by Drone Spray over Knapsack Spray 11.210 122%(a) Professor Jaashankar Telangana Sate Agia University a Location Agricultural Research Station, Tandur, Vikerabad Dist Agr-Startup Partner Marut Dronetech Private Limited, Hyderabad Drone mode! AGRICOPTOR AG36S with UIN ~ UAOO132S1EX and HEPICOPTOR with UIN - UADOOGU Nozzle type XR 11002VP (Exended range - Fat fan) ‘Number of nozzles Four Optimum flight height 2.0 m above crap canopy Optimum fight speed 40-50 msec Spray Volume 40Uha (Optimum time of spray 6.00 -9.00 AM and 3.00 ~ 6.00 PM Gram podborer Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG-200 giha CCloranthraniliprole18.5 SC @ 150 ml/ha “Aphids Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 200 ha Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 125 gfha Phytotoxicity No crop damage observed attested concentrations to Chlarantraniliprole- 18.5 SC, Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG, Imidaclopid 17.8 SL and Thiamethoxam 25 WG Impact on beneficial fauna Safe for Coccnelids and Spiders Pesticide residues Not verified Control Efficiency ‘© Drone Spray 100% © Konapsack Spray 92.7 t0 93.9% Field Capacity © Drone Spray 1.2 halday (17.8 acresiday) © Knapsack Spray 1.5 halday (3.75 acresiday) Water Saving by drones 92.0% cover Knapsack Spray Labour Productivity © Drone Spray 3.6 haylabour day (2.0 acrestabour day) 1 Koapsack Spray 0.75 haflabour day (1.9 acresfabour day) Saving in time by Drone Spray 719% ver Knapsack Spray Yield improvement by Drone 165%0 17.4% Spray over Knapsack SprayDrone Project Launching : Dr. B. Janardhan Reddy, APC & Secretary, Govt. of Telangana, Sri Jeyesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary (IT, E & C), Govt. of Telangana & Dr. V. Praveen Rao, Vice Chancellor, PITSAU, Rajendranagar, ‘Witnessing Drone Demonstration : Dr. GR. Chintala, Charman, NABARD, Dr. V. Praveen Rao, Vice Chancellor, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar 4& Sri .K Rao, CGM, NABARD, Telangana~ Visit of NABARD Chairman U orainstorming Session on Drone use in Agncuture J — ation Varma, N.R.G., Babu, TK. Ramprasad, 8, Ashwini. D., Reddy, TR., Sudhakar, C, Omprakash, S.,Balram, N., Rani, VD, Shaila, O., Madhuri, G., Jagadeeshwar, R. and Praveen Rao, V. 2022. Autonomous Drones in Agriculture: Standard Operating Protocols for ‘Agrochemical Application in Field Crops. Publication No. 15/TP/PITSAU/2022. University Press, PITSAU, Hyderabad, Telangana State. India. P16 Striving, for a Greenen Temorrew PROFESSOR JAYASHANKAR TELANGANA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY Tanager 5003, Tegan Se “erphiueduin