Intelligent sprayer enhances drift reduction: wind condition correlation and comparative field study in ash tree applications

Authors: You, Kyusuk; Zhu, Heping; GULER, HUSEYIN - Ege University; Jeon, Hongyoung; ZHAO, LINGYING - The Ohio State University; OZKAN, ERDAL - The Ohio State University; MEHTA, SIDDHARTHA - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Smart Agricultural Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/18/2026
Publication Date: 3/19/2026
Citation: You, K., Zhu, H., Guler, H., Jeon, H., Zhao, L., Ozkan, E., Mehta, S. 2026. Intelligent sprayer enhances drift reduction: wind condition correlation and comparative field study in ash tree applications. Smart Agricultural Technology. 14. Article 102027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2026.102027.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2026.102027

Interpretive Summary: Airborne drift from pesticide spraying wastes chemicals, reduces treatment effectiveness, and threatens the environment. In our field studies with ash trees, we tested an intelligent sprayer equipped with sensors and automated controls that adjust spray output in real time. Compared to conventional spraying, the intelligent sprayer significantly reduced airborne drift, even under varying wind conditions, while still protecting trees effectively. By improving spray precision and minimizing waste, this technology helps American farmers cut costs, protect their crops, and increase productivity in a sustainable way.

Technical Abstract: Spray drift from pesticide applications poses serious risks to the environment, human health, and neighboring crops. This research evaluated and analyzed off-target spray drift of a laser-guided variable-rate application (VRA) technology retrofitted axial-fan air-blast sprayer by comparing with that of a conventional constant rate application (CRA) in a nursery ash tree field under variable wind conditions. Airborne and ground level drift were measured at multiple downwind distances and sampling heights. Meteorological parameters were continuously recorded. Deposition, ground coverage, and droplet size characteristics were measured through fluorimetry and image-based analysis. Drift behavior was examined within two zones: the Protected No-Spray (PNS) Zone (5 m downwind) and the Downwind Drift Transport (DDT) Zone (5 and 105 meters downwind). VRA reduced spray volume by up to 51.2% while maintaining effective canopy coverage. In the PNS Zone, airborne drift was reduced by 64.4% to 79.5% across three lateral sampling locations. In the DDT Zone, VRA achieved reductions of 66.7% at 5 m, 58.3% at 15 m and 50.0% at 35 m with drift undetectable beyond 35 m. At the ground level, VRA resulted narrower and lower range of droplet density with volume median diameter (VMD) consistently below 1000 µm. Regression analysis addressed that CRA drift was strongly influenced by wind conditions (R² > 0.65), whereas VRA showed weaker correlations (R² < 0.35), reflecting better drift control stability. These results demonstrated that VRA effectively mitigated off-target drift, improved spray uniformity, and provided improved drift control under varying wind conditions.