Advancements in drone technology for weed management: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Weed management is a critical challenge in modern agriculture, directly affecting crop productivity and quality. Traditional weed management techniques, such as manual weeding, mechanical tillage, and chemical herbicides, have significant drawbacks, including environmental impact, labor intensity, and the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds. Recent advancements in drone technology offer new opportunities for precision weed management. Drones provide a cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable approach by enabling site-specific weed detection, monitoring, and control. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the use of drones in weed management, discussing their technological capabilities, applications, benefits, and challenges. It also explores the integration of drones with other precision agriculture technologies and highlights future research directions to enhance the adoption and effectiveness of drone-based weed management strategies.