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Spray Drones: A New Technology for Crop Protection Applications in Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Diego Fernando Daniel
  • Gilberto Santos Andrade
  • Alcir Jose Modolo
  • Adao Robson Elias
  • Jose Ricardo da Rocha Campos
  • Rivanildo Dallacort
  • Joao Danilo Barbieri
  • Andre Sordi
  • Erine Natalie Bortot
  • Alessandro Bandeira Dalbianco

Abstract

The advancement of digital and automation technologies has driven the adoption of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in agriculture, particularly in crop protection product spraying. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of national and international literature on the use of spray UAVs in Brazilian and world crops, identifying their applications, limitations, and future perspectives. To this end, the databases Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, and Google Scholar were searched for the period between 2014 and 2025 using strategic combinations of descriptors related to UAVs, agricultural spraying, regulation, and precision agriculture. The results indicated that UAVs have been employed in different crops, including soybean, maize, coffee, sugarcane, rice, cotton, citrus, wheat, and common bean, showing improvements in droplet deposition, access to difficult-to-manage areas, and reduced human exposure to crop protection products. It is concluded that spray UAVs represent a promising tool for precision agriculture in Brazil, with the potential to transform crop management practices and promote greater sustainability in the sector. This study makes a novel contribution by integrating national and international evidence on spray UAVs, highlighting research gaps and supporting scientific and technological advances in Brazilian agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego Fernando Daniel & Gilberto Santos Andrade & Alcir Jose Modolo & Adao Robson Elias & Jose Ricardo da Rocha Campos & Rivanildo Dallacort & Joao Danilo Barbieri & Andre Sordi & Erine Natalie Bortot, 2026. "Spray Drones: A New Technology for Crop Protection Applications in Brazil," Journal of Sustainable Development, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 19(2), pages 124-124, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:jsd123:v:19:y:2026:i:2:p:124
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Édson Luis Bolfe & Lúcio André de Castro Jorge & Ieda Del’Arco Sanches & Ariovaldo Luchiari Júnior & Cinthia Cabral da Costa & Daniel de Castro Victoria & Ricardo Yassushi Inamasu & Célia Regina Grego, 2020. "Precision and Digital Agriculture: Adoption of Technologies and Perception of Brazilian Farmers," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Mohammad Fatin Fatihur Rahman & Shurui Fan & Yan Zhang & Lei Chen, 2021. "A Comparative Study on Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems in Agriculture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-26, January.
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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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