11 February, 2026
📄 📢 3E-UAVspray at the 65th IOR-PIB Scientific Session in Poznań
The 3E-UAVspray project reinforced its international standing through Eric Mozzanini’s participation as an Invited Speaker at the 65th Scientific Session of the Institute of Plant Protection (IOR-PIB) in Poznań, Poland.
"UASS targeted spraying in vineyards: the study case under the 3E-UAVspray project"
Authors: Eric Mozzanini, Margherita Furiosi, Alessandro Biglia, Nicoleta A. Suciu, Tito Caffi, Paolo Marucco, Fabrizio S. Gioelli, Paolo Gay, Marco Grella
Research Team: This study is the result of a strategic collaboration between the DiSAFA department of the University of Turin and the DI.PRO.VES. and DiSTAS departments of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
Leaflet_3E-UAVspray.pdfThe 3E-UAVspray project has published its booklet, providing a concise overview of experimental results and preliminary operational guidance for UAV-based crop protection applications in steep-slope vineyards.
The booklet summarizes activities carried out in 2024 to 2025, including field trials comparing UAV spraying with conventional airblast spraying, assessments of canopy-targeted deposition and ground losses, and practical indications on key operating parameters (for example flight height above the canopy, forward speed, spray pressure, and application volume).
This milestone supports the development of safer and more sustainable plant protection solutions for vineyards where steep terrain limits conventional machinery, with a strong focus on reducing off-target losses.
Note: the booklet is available in Italian.
Operative solutions for efficient, effective and environmental-friendly UAV-spray applications in vineyards – 3E-UAVspray
In recent years, there has been growing interest in Europe in using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the application of plant protection products. The use of these technologies is of strategic interest, particularly for their potential application in vineyards with steep slopes, where the distribution of plant protection products is commonly carried out manually by operators (e.g., backpack sprayers, handheld lances) or, where possible, using sprayer machines. However, these application techniques are dangerous due to both the level of exposure to pesticides that operators face and the environmental contamination associated with conventional application methods.
Therefore, given the challenges associated with using traditional application techniques in difficult terrains and the growing interest of European farmers in replacing them with UAV-based pesticide applications, it is important to define and optimize specific techniques and configurations for UAV use to establish this technology as an effective and efficient alternative tool.
The literature reports some experiments and activities related to vineyard applications using UAVs, but there is still limited information on the actual effectiveness of such systems in vineyards. In this context, with the involvement of the University of Turin, DiSAFA – Agricultural Engineering Area, under the supervision of Dr. Marco Grella, and two departments of the Università Cattolica in Piacenza, Di.STAS – Chemistry Area, and DI.PRO.VE.S – Plant Protection Area, under the scientific supervision of Dr. Nicoleta Alina Suciu, the main objective of the 3E-UAVspray project is to explore and define, through a holistic approach, the optimal protection strategy to be adopted in combination with UAV spraying systems in vineyards cultivated on steep slopes.
Development of an innovative spray system for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Identification and adoption of a crop protection strategy tailored for UAV spray application at ultra-low volume
MILESTONE 1
Project management
MILESTONE 2
Development of the innovative UAV-spray system
MILESTONE 3
Selection of plant protection products (PPPs) for UAV-spray application
MILESTONE 4
Evaluation of vineyard protection strategy by means of UAV-spray application at farm-scale level
MILESTONE 5
Suggestion of a crop protection strategy for spray applications through UAVs according to the project results
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