By Blake Jackson
Drone-based herbicide applications are emerging as a promising tool for Pennsylvania growers, offering advantages over traditional ground sprayers. Drones can provide more efficient coverage in small or irregularly shaped fields, reduce crop damage caused by sprayer traffic, and enable timely applications when wet soil conditions prevent ground equipment use. However, technology is evolving rapidly, and state guidelines and best management practices are still being developed.
Before using drones for herbicide applications, growers should review label restrictions. Only products approved for aerial application may be used with drones, and state regulations must be followed.
In Pennsylvania, herbicides labeled for “aerial applications” may legally be applied via UAVs, provided the drone meets label requirements, including minimum spray volume (gallons per acre), application height, and nozzle type. Some aerial-labeled products are not approved for ultra-low spray volumes, often used in drone spraying.
Applicators also need appropriate certification. General-use herbicides can be applied on private property without a license, but restricted-use herbicides require a private applicator license. Applying any herbicide on another property or public sites requires a commercial or public applicator license with an aerial category (Category 25).
Weed control effectiveness using drones is still being studied. Early research indicates that spray volume and height above the canopy have the greatest influence on efficacy, while speed is less critical.
Drone applications tend to have more drift than ground spraying, making calibration, droplet size, swath overlap, and coverage crucial for consistent control, especially with residual PRE or foliar POST products.
Before deploying drones, growers should ensure compliance with state regulations, product labels, certification requirements, and application parameters, including spray volume, height, nozzle type, and crop growth stage. Following these steps will help optimize results while maintaining legal and safe herbicide use.
Photo Credit: istock-psisa
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, General