03 July 2024
Key Takeaways
- The blue dawn flower is a highly aggressive invasive weed, particularly harmful to sugar cane crops.
- Braéro Soluções Aeroagrícolas has adopted drone technology to enhance targeted herbicide application, leading to significant cost savings and environmental benefits.
- Customers have reported reductions in weed control costs by as much as 39%, alongside dramatic decreases in herbicide and water usage.
- The eBee X drone facilitates efficient mapping and sprayer operations, certified to fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) for optimized field coverage.
- Drones are proving to be versatile tools in modern agriculture, supporting not only pest control but a variety of farming tasks.
Innovative Solutions in Sugar Cane Farming
In the fight against the pervasive blue dawn flower, an invasive weed wreaking havoc on sugar cane crops worldwide, Brazilian agricultural services company Braéro Soluções Aeroagrícolas is embracing cutting-edge drone technology. This herbaceous vine, capable of sprawling up to 10 feet long, poses a serious threat to consistent sugar cane yields, complicating mechanized harvesting and significantly diminishing productivity.
Braéro employs innovative methods using the eBee X drone, equipped with a multispectral camera known as the Duet M. According to Drone Nerds, this technology provides precise mapping of infestations, which then enables targeted herbicide spraying. By generating highly accurate georeferenced infestation maps, the remote-controlled sprayer drone can focus its efforts exclusively on the affected sections of crops, reducing the overall area needing treatment.
Remarkable Benefits of Drone Technology
Farmers engaging with Braéro have reported impressive results stemming from the drone-assisted approach. Customers have witnessed a marked decrease in weed control costs, with savings between 30% to 40%. Additionally, both herbicide and water use have been slashed by as much as 70%.
A notable case study showcased this technology in a 709-acre (287-hectare) sugar cane farm located in Colina, São Paulo. The planning phase initiated with configuring the eBee X drone’s flight to ensure optimal mapping and coverage. With impressive specifications, including a multispectral resolution of 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) and a 70% latitude and 90% longitude overlap, the drone provided meticulous data to guide subsequent spraying efforts.
The eBee X drone enjoys significant regulatory advantages, being certified by the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) to undertake Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This allows for flights extending up to 5 kilometers in radius while flying at heights of 120 meters, a capability that outperforms traditional drones limited to less than half a kilometer in radius.
Streamlined Data Processing for Enhanced Accuracy
Following the mapping process, the team employs PIX4mapper software to produce RGB orthomosaics and reflectance indices derived from the multispectral imaging. As explained by Fernando Costa, Braéro’s Operations Director, the RGB orthomosaic proves vital for quality control in weed detection, with indices highlighting areas burdened by the invasive plant. Particularly noteworthy is the RedEdge band, which becomes increasingly useful post-planting in identifying weeds amidst the tall sugar cane.
Once the mapping is complete, infestation data is transferred into the sprayer drone’s control system, allowing precise herbicide application tailored to the specific infestation levels across the farm. The ability to visualize and target infested areas leads to much more refined and efficient spraying tactics.
Results Speak Volumes
Braéro’s adoption of drone technology led to substantial savings on resources and labor. The innovative drone-assisted system recorded herbicide application rates of approximately 344.04 liters against the traditional method’s staggering 738.63 liters across a significantly reduced sprayed area of 282 acres (114 hectares). Resultantly, drone technology not only lowers input costs but promotes responsible water usage, achieving remarkable reductions of 1032.12 liters from traditional methods.
In one representative case study, local producers experienced a cost-saving of $2,842, a striking 39.7% decrease compared to traditional blanket application methods. Depending on infestation severity, the method can vary, optimizing spray volumes to address different levels of infestation, thereby ensuring maximum efficiency.
Broadening the Scope of Drone Applications in Agriculture
While Braéro Soluções Aeroagrícolas has carved a niche in weed control, the versatility of drones in agriculture is far-reaching. Beyond simply tackling invasive flora, drones can bolster various aspects of modern farming—from planting systems and landscape terracing to replanting logistics and managing cropping failures.
As the agricultural sector increasingly turns to technology for improved efficiency and sustainability, Braéro’s success offers a compelling glimpse into the future of farming, where drones play an integral role in enhancing productivity while safeguarding the environment.
