Research progress and management status of pesticide application by plant protection unmanned aerial vehicles

Plant protection unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are modern plant protection application machines with the characteristics of high operational efficiency, precision, water, and pesticides saving, flexibility and safety for sprayers, etc. However, unlike traditional application methods, the UAVs use less water with high pesticide concentration, and it is easy to drift with a high application risk. The current research on plant protection UAVs application mainly focuses on droplet deposition distribution, drift, and control efficiency. However, there are fewer studies on dietary, environmental and occupational exposure health risk assessment, and the standards and regulations for registration and management of formulation are relatively lagging. In order to comprehensively understand the application of plant protection UAVs and the current status of management, this paper reviews the application of plant protection UAVs, risk studies and international registration and management of aerial plant protection pesticides, and summarizes the development potential and management recommendations in this field in China, with a view to providing reference for the safe application of pesticides by plant protection UAVs and the scientific management of registration in China.