An assessment of UAV technology and shattercane population dynamics to improve pest management
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Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) outfitted for pesticide application have the potential to improve application efficiency under conditions challenging for traditional, ground-based equipment. UAV-applied treatments had 21-32 percent lower coverage, but the coverage was more evenly distributed throughout the canopy when compared to ground- based applications. The total coverage was not significantly different. When we examined UAV applications of foliar fungicide over corn (Zea mays L.), no significant difference in corn grain yield was observed between UAV and ground-based applications. The comparability of UAVs to traditional spraying methods was also observed in foliar herbicide applications over Phragmites australis. Glyphosate plus florpyrauxifen-benzyl exhibited the lowest visual regrowth reduction (55 percent) of phragmites, but there were no differences in efficacy by application method. In addition to investigating the use of UAV technology, this research sought to explain an observed increase in shattercane (Sorghum bicolor L.) prevalence. An emergence study showed that peaks in shattercane emergence correlated with higher soil moisture and that emergence periodicity varied with seed biotypes. When screened for resistance to nicosulfuron, fluazifop, glyphosate, and glufosinate, none of the screened populations indicated herbicide resistance. The results offer useful information for land managers to predict the timing of shattercane emergence, create better management plans, and develop spray parameters for UAVs.
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Ph. D.