Using drones for agroecological weed management

Abstract

Drones are a valuable tool to explore the spatial variability present in crop fields. Although its use is becoming relatively common in technological oriented systems it is very rare in ecological oriented systems. The goal of this presentation is to explore some of the potentialities of this tool to contribute to an improved agroecological weed management. The information obtained in early flights can be used to minimize input use (tillage operations or herbicides). The information obtained at the end of the crop life cycle can be used to assess the efficacy of the control measures, monitoring weed escapes and/or resistant populations. Digital phenotyping from aerial images could be used in breeding weed suppressing varieties. The assessment of agronomic practices under real conditions can be conducted through aerial monitoring farmer`s plots with variable conditions.  The large volume of information (big data) provided on soil, crop and weed conditions will facilitate the design and implementation of integrated weed management systems. The large volume of information (big data) provided on soil, crop and weed conditions will facilitate the design and implementation of integrated weed management systems. The use of drones at the landscape scale allow to monitor biodiversity spaces and to assess the ecosystem services provided by these areas.