Crop Spraying and Phytosanitary Treatment by Drone

Drone-based crop spraying is transforming agricultural treatment operations, particularly for plots where conventional machinery cannot operate effectively: steep vineyard slopes, waterlogged fields, crops with delicate foliage, or parcels with terrain obstacles. The agricultural drone applies phytosanitary products, fungicides and biocontrol agents with precision, at the right time and without soil compaction.

When does drone spraying outperform ground equipment?

Steep vineyard slopes

Terraced vineyards on steep slopes are inaccessible to tractors and even hand-operated sprayers often struggle with gradient and terrain. The drone sprays the entire row from above, reaching the top and underside of the canopy simultaneously, with no soil compaction and no operator exposure to chemical products.

Crops after rainfall

When fields are saturated after heavy rain, the passage of heavy spraying equipment causes severe compaction and risks wheel-rut damage to the crop. The drone eliminates soil contact entirely, allowing treatment at the optimal agronomic timing even in wet conditions.

Precision application in dense crops

On tall maize or dense cereal crops where conventional sprayers cannot penetrate the canopy, drone spraying delivers product directly to the target zone. The downwash effect of the rotors creates a vertical air movement that increases penetration of the spray into the canopy.

Buffer zone management

European regulations define mandatory buffer zones along watercourses where phytosanitary applications are prohibited or restricted. Drones certified for reduced-buffer applications can treat right up to the edge of the authorised zone with GPS accuracy, minimising untreated strips.

Regulatory framework — Certiphyto and drone operator certification

Drone application of phytosanitary products in France is subject to specific regulations:

• The operator must hold a certiphyto certificate for the product category applied
• The drone must be on the approved list of certified aerial application equipment (ANSES/DGAC)
• Each campaign requires a prior declaration to the relevant authority (prefecture, DRAAF)
• Product selection is restricted to those with a drone aerial application authorisation

Our operators hold certiphyto certification and operate with the DJI Agras T100, which is on the approved aerial application equipment list.

Application precision and traceability

Every drone spraying mission produces a complete GPS-traced log of the flight path, application rate and coverage map. This traceability:

• Demonstrates treatment coverage to agronomic advisers and auditors
• Identifies any missed zones for targeted re-application
• Provides proof of treatment for quality certifications (organic, HVE, AOP protocols)

Our field approach

We intervene with the DJI Agras T100, an agricultural spraying drone designed for precision large-scale applications. Its high-capacity hopper and centrifugal distribution system ensure homogeneous coverage across large surfaces, with complete GPS traceability of every pass.

Each mission is preceded by a parcel assessment: crop stage, density, target pest or disease, wind and temperature conditions, and product selection adapted to the specific treatment objective.