Case studies by crop · Arable

Wheat: fertilizer spreading (Agras T30)

DJI Agriculture case study, collected by FLYDROPS.

In Kagawa, Japan, a cooperative tried a drone for wheat fertilizing for the first time. Five workers needed 20 minutes for one plot, the Agras T30 about 2 minutes for the other, and 30 days later the difference in uniformity showed.

Comparison of the two plots 30 days later.

At a glance

Location	Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku), Japan
Crop	Wheat
Drone	DJI Agras T30 with a spreading system
Trial	Two equal plots of 0.174 ha, May 2022
Fertilizer rate	300 kg/ha (nitrogen, at heading)
Operator	Kasuga Cooperative and dealer FREEPERSON

The study uses the T30, an earlier generation. The current range is DJI Agras T100, T70P, T55 and T25P; find which one fits your acreage or compare the models.

The challenge

The area is one of the main wheat producers on Shikoku. For the wheat to reach the required protein content, it needs nitrogen fertilizer at heading, 300 kg/ha. So uniform spreading is critical. Manual spreading by five workers over 65 is tiring and uneven.

The T30 flying in the trial.

What was done

Two plots of equal size, 0.174 ha each. On the first, five workers spread the fertilizer by hand in 20 minutes. On the second, the pilot set the route and parameters in the app and the T30 completed the spreading automatically in about 2 minutes.

speed 15 km/h,
spread width 5.5–6 m,
height 4 m,
300 kg/ha,
impeller speed 1,100 rpm.

The results

Measure	By hand	Agras T30
People	5 workers	1 pilot
Time for 0.174 ha	20 minutes	About 2 minutes
Uniformity after 30 days	Part of the wheat matured late, from excess nitrogen	Healthier, uniform growth

The numbers come from the study and relate to that specific application.

The farmers’ association decided to adopt drones for aerial fertilizer application and to hold an information session for wheat farmers. Its head said the protein requirements can also be met with the T30. Note: these were very small plots (0.174 ha) and a one-off trial.

What it means for Greece

Uniform fertilizing in wheat matters in Greece too, where quality (protein) affects the price. The method needs a spreading system, which the T100, T70P and T55 have. The T30 in the study corresponds today to the models of the current range, with larger capacities. For zones of different growth, see also the variable-rate fertilization study.

Rules and responsibilities

The study is about fertilizing and mapping, not plant protection products. Drone flights are always subject to the competent aviation authority’s rules; check the requirements before you plan work in your own field.