A team from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is stepping up to meet the growing interest among Pennsylvania and Northeast tree fruit growers in adopting drone-based spraying systems, particularly for high-density apple and peach orchards. To support this work, the Northeast Region of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture recently awarded the team two grants.
A survey of fruit growers last year revealed that 95% were eager to explore drone spraying technology, citing increased efficiency, labor savings and improved soil health as key benefits. Image Credit: Penn State.
Many farmers are seeking alternatives to traditional air-blast sprayers, which experience frequent breakdowns and inefficiencies. A survey of growers last year revealed that 95% were eager to explore drone spraying technology, citing increased efficiency, labor savings, and improved soil health as key benefits.
Shanthanu Krishna Kumar, Study Team Leader and Assistant Professor of Tree Fruit, The Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania is a leading apple producer, harvesting over 14 million bushels annually, underscoring the importance of efficient spraying practices, Kumar noted. He added that growers are particularly interested in drones’ ability to spray at night, when reduced wind speeds and lower risks to pollinators make conditions ideal. Drones are also seen as a better fit for irregularly shaped or steep orchard sites that traditional equipment struggles to access.
Despite the enthusiasm, farmers have raised important concerns, particularly about drones’ ability to maintain optimal water volumes, achieve thorough spray coverage, and effectively apply growth-regulating chemicals critical for managing crop loads. The research team plans to tackle these challenges head-on.
“Farmers also seek more information on maintenance, troubleshooting and the cost-effectiveness of drone technology. This project aims to bridge these knowledge gaps and support growers of all sizes, in adopting sustainable and efficient spraying,” said Kumar.
The project will include a series of field trials and demonstrations designed to optimize drone-based spraying systems for high-density fruit orchards. High-density apple orchards, for instance, can host more than 180 dwarf trees per acre, maximizing production with specialized pruning and tree-training systems that promote early fruit bearing.
These trials will focus on key factors like appropriate water volumes, optimal flight parameters, and the effectiveness of plant growth regulators when applied with lower water volumes. Researchers will also conduct side-by-side comparisons of drone spraying and traditional air-blast methods to assess spray coverage and economic viability.
From these efforts, the team aims to develop best-practice guidelines to help farmers adopt drone technology while cutting chemical use, reducing labor costs, and minimizing environmental impact. Eight growers across Pennsylvania will host on-farm trials, offering valuable, real-world insights into the performance of drone systems.
Outreach will be a major part of the project. The team plans to offer workshops, field days, webinars, and video tutorials — including Spanish-language resources — to share their findings. Results will also be presented through industry publications, conferences, and local meetings. In addition, farmers will receive guidance on finding funding opportunities to support drone adoption.
“By addressing farmers’ concerns and providing accessible, practical solutions, our project aims to promote widespread adoption of drone-based spraying technology, leading to more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable fruit production in the Northeast,” said Kumar.
Long He, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering, serves as co-principal investigator on the project, along with Penn State Extension educators Daniel Weber and Maria Gorgo-Simcox as team members.
The team’s work is supported by two grants: a $200,000 award from the Northeast Region of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, and a $19,000 PA Ag Innovation Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which helped purchase a research drone. The drone will also be used to explore precision nutrient management by scanning fruit trees.
This research is part of Penn State’s Technologies for Agriculture and Living Systems (TALiS) initiative — a holistic approach focused on boosting food productivity and efficiency while preserving the vital living systems that support agriculture. TALiS envisions a future where advanced technologies work hand-in-hand with nature to create sustainable, resilient farming systems.