A Study on the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Chestnut Insect Pests Control

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the damage rate of insect pests on chestnutorchards. and to investigate the effects of varying methods of insect pests control. The resultsrevealed that there was a statistically significant(p<0.05) difference among early-ripenign, middleripening,and late-ripening cultivars. The damage rate of Dichocrocis punctiferalis was highest inearly-ripening cultivars(24.22%), followed by middle-ripening(22.71%) and late-ripening(20.25%). The damage rate of Curculio sikkimensis was highest in late-ripening cultivars(24.52%), followedby middle-ripening(22.61%) and early-ripening(19.96%). There was a statistically significant(p<0.05)difference in damage rates after insect pests control. Two methods of insect pests control, usingeither helicopter or an unmanned drone, were used. The results revealed significant differences(p<0.05) between D. punctiferalis and C. sikkimensis. Changes in the damage rates of D. punctiferalis after drone control were 8.97%~9.62%, and that after helicopter control was14.82~15.94%, which was 20.25%~24.22% significant difference(p<0.05) from control site. Changes in damage rates of C. sikkimensis after drone spraying was 6.77~7.72%, and that afterhelicopter spraying was 12.62~14.94%, which was 19.96~24.52% significant difference(p<0.05)from control sites. Control effects of D. punctiferalis by drone spraying was 59.06% and helicopterspraying was 30.82%. Control effects of C. sikkimensis by drone spraying was 66.97% andhelicopter spraying was 40.78%.