Best Management Practices for Spraying with an Unmanned Aerial Spray System Released by the Unmanned Aerial Pesticide Application System Task Force
The Unmanned Aerial Pesticide Application System Task Force (UAPASTF) recently released a best management practices (BMP) document to help better facilitate making safe and effective pesticide applications using Unmanned Aerial Spray Systems (UASS). UAPASTF is a coalition of pesticide registrants focused on providing data on UASS to government agencies in order to support UASS and assist with pesticide risk assessments.
The BMPs include numerous topics on using UASS to make applications including a summary of current regulations, user safety for pesticide handlers working with UASS, and equipment setup and operation to maximize spray deposition on the target and minimize off-target drift. Because UASS use is more common in some other countries, the regulations and label compliance section provides information for several countries including the USA.
The BMP document includes a thorough application checklist, covering the pre-application, during application, and post application phases of the mission. Other sections include:
- Mixing and loading UASS safely
- Cleaning, maintenance, and handling
- Effective swath width
- Spray coverage
- Calibration
- Setting up UASS for specific target pests and crops
- Tanks mixes
- Adjuvants
- Impact of weather on application accuracy
Click here to read the full UAPASTF BMP document for making applications with UASS.