ADAMA: Use of drones in sugarcane fields reduces herbicide use by up to 85%

Date:10-25-2023

The use of drones in herbicide applications makes the practice more sustainable, achieving a reduction in pesticide use of up to 85%. This information was confirmed to AgroPages by agronomist Vinicius Boleta, Product Manager at ADAMA.

According to Boleta, this is because there is greater precision in identifying infestation spots, as drones generate georeferenced images of areas and apply products precisely and locally, rather than over the entire area. In sugarcane cultivation, weed control is essential and should be done in an integrated manner, by reconciling various strategies.

ADAMA said that the application of herbicides using drones can improve application efficiency by reducing the number of products and avoiding waste, optimizing time, reducing costs, minimizing crop loss, and enabling data and information management of sugarcane fields. During certain periods, weed monitoring occurs when crops are already well-developed, which makes monitoring using conventional methods difficult. Therefore, drones are an intelligent alternative for weed identification.

Given this scenario, ADAMA has partnered with Baldan Connected to launch a project aimed at sustainable weed management, which uses drones for mapping and precise herbicide application. This process has assisted sugarcane producers from different regions in controlling difficult-to-control weeds, such as castor bean (Ricinus communis) and bindweed (Merremia Cissoides).

Weed competition, especially from broadleaf weeds, can cause significant losses, ranging from 25% to 80% in Brazil if not controlled. Although there are various phytosanitary problems that affect crops, the presence of difficult-to-control weeds is one of the most challenging, Boleta stressed. "The improper use of herbicides for weed control is among the factors that compromise sugarcane management. When there is a combination of favorable conditions for the development of these weeds and the wrong choice and application of herbicides, the invasive species adapt, significantly changing the infestation scenario season after season," he explained.

In addition to more sustainable application using drones, innovation in herbicide formulations is a necessity for the management of broadleaf weeds. ADAMA has launched a differentiated solution for weed control in the sugarcane market, Arreio Cana (Fluroxypyr-methyl; Picloram), indicated for post-emergence control of the main broadleaf weeds that affect sugarcane, such as bindweed (Ipomoea purpurea and Merremia cissoides) and castor bean (Ricinus communis). "This systemic and selective herbicide helps maintain a clean sugarcane field, allowing for the good development of the crop and facilitating the harvesting operation," Boleta said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)

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