This involves dropping a seed compound directly into an existing crop without tilling the soil upstream, even before harvest.
Consequences of
Long intercultural period
between the corn harvest and the
new spring seedlings:
Soil erosion
The soil loses its activity biological
Need for treatment to provide nutrients
Tillage with ploughing, which is important
1
Corn sowing
2
Corn harvest
3
Long beat period
4
Soil dries out
5
Corn sowing
The advantages of drone dropping
under cover
Saving time and money (not using the tractor)
Improves soil structure, infiltration and water retention capacity
Allows the soil to remain alive
Nourishes the soil with organic matter
and nitrogenous and avoids the need for phytosanitary measures
Reduces nitrogen requirements of the next crop = reduces the cost of mineral fertilization on the
next crop
Breaks disease and pest cycles in monoculture plots
Limits weeding during intercultural activities
The use of the drone allows seed spreading while the corn is
still standing.
1
Corn is planted
2
Sow a mixture of seeds
3
Corn harvest
4
The plan cover grows
5
Maintains the soil alive covered limiting erosion
6
Crushed plant cover with rest of corn stalk, then leave it to decompose on the
surface
7
Reserves directly on top
Improved performance of a drone spreading
10 Kg per hectare
one hectare
per flight
6 to 8 min
per hectare
The result of the sowing under cover carried out
by drones
2 years of conclusive tests
Two years of testing with the Vendée Chamber of Agriculture have made it possible to refine our technical solution.
During these two years, troughout our various tests, we studied the best period of seed dropping for increased
efficiency. We have also refined the seed mixture used to ensure a dense cover with a high germination power,
applying in particular an anti-slug to preserve a plant cover over the whole interculture. We have also adjusted our
drones and the dropping solution to suit this specific treatment.