By Andi Anderson
A new breakthrough from the University of Illinois shows that drones can detect even the smallest signs of dicamba damage in soybean crops. This scientific advancement could help farmers and policymakers track herbicide drift more accurately and reduce errors from visual inspections.
Researchers used advanced cameras mounted on drones to study soybean canopies exposed to extremely low levels of dicamba — as little as one ten-thousandth of the herbicide’s approved rate. This exposure level simulates vapor drift, which is difficult to detect by eye. Eight days after application, the drones identified signs of damage, which became more severe with time and higher doses.
“We would have an annual teleconference with the Environmental Protection Agency where they would ask how extensive the damage was and whether their label modifications were making a difference. They were relying on pesticide misuse complaints, but there are a lot of factors going into whether someone makes a complaint,” said Aaron Hager, a crop sciences professor and Illinois Extension Specialist.
The study was led by doctoral student Dylan Kerr, who confirmed the technology could distinguish between healthy, treated, and dicamba-tolerant soybean fields. Damage was rated on a standardized scale, with visible cupping and stress increasing through day 29 of the trial.
The team now aims to scale up their technology, analyzing satellite images to detect crop damage across wider regions. The method could also be adapted to assess injury in trees, shrubs, and other plant species.
“A lot of growers are fatigued after filing complaints and not seeing any response. And you have urban communities asking, ‘What’s going on with my trees or the ornamentals in my yard?’ It’s critical for us as public sector scientists to figure out the extent of this problem using research-based evidence,” said co-author Marty Williams, adjunct professor in crop sciences. “We’re not trying to push any sort of agenda or take sides. We’re just asking the question, figuring out the answer, and sharing it. I think this is a beautiful example of what public sector research is all about.”
This research offers a valuable tool to support farmers, improve drift monitoring, and protect sensitive crops across landscapes.
Photo Credit: pexels-flo-dnd
Categories: Illinois, Equipment & Machinery