Challenge

The Problem with Pod Shatter

Minimising harvest losses in oilseed rape (OSR) and winter beans is crucial, as pod shatter can lead to losses up to 50% in extreme cases. For dense, tall crops like OSR (6-7 feet high), conventional tractor-based sprayers cause significant physical damage, with one farmer estimating a 5% crop loss, equating to about £90 per hectare. The question was whether an aerial solution could both eliminate this damage and effectively deliver a pod sealant deep into the dense canopy.

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Solution

The Drone Advantage: A UK-First Pod-Stik Application

AutoSpray Systems partnered with European crop science leader De Sangosse to conduct a UK-first trial, applying their pod sealant, Pod-Stik, to both OSR and winter bean crops using the autonomous XAG P100 Pro drone. The drone flew 3 metres above the crop, completely eliminating tramline damage. A food-safe UV fluorescent dye was added to the mix to visually assess coverage. This trial also compared various application rates and droplet sizes to find the optimal settings, demonstrating a focus on precision agronomy.

Innovation

Result

Enhanced Coverage and Unprecedented PenetrationThe trials were a resounding success. UV dye analysis confirmed excellent coverage throughout the entire canopy. Critically, the powerful downwash from the drone’s rotors forced the sealant deep into the dense canopy, coating the pods—including the often-shaded underside—with superb protection. Rob Suckling, Commercial Technical Manager at De Sangosse, noted the drone achieved better canopy penetration at 100 L/ha than a conventional sprayer would at the typical minimum of 150 L/ha. The project proved the agronomic and commercial viability of using drone technology for high-value, late-season applications in UK farming.

  • Estimated crop loss from tractor damage. 5%
  • Per-hectare financial equivalent of crop loss due to tractor damage. £90
  • Potential crop losses in beans due to pod shatter in hot, dry conditions. Up to 50%

Project Partners

Protecting Oil Seed Rape

Protecting Winter Beans

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