A Review on the Evolution of Air-Assisted Spraying in Orchards and the Associated Leaf Motion During Spraying

Guanqun Wang, Ziyu Li, Weidong Jia, Mingxiong Ou, Xiang Dong () and Zhengji Zhang
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Guanqun Wang: School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Ziyu Li: School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Weidong Jia: School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Mingxiong Ou: School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Xiang Dong: School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Zhengji Zhang: School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-24

Abstract: Air-assisted spraying is vital in modern orchard pest management by enhancing droplet penetration and coverage on complex canopies. However, the interaction between airflow, droplets, and flexible foliage remains unclear, limiting spray efficiency and environmental sustainability. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding leaf motion dynamics in wind and droplet fields and their impact on pesticide deposition. First, we review orchard spraying technologies, focusing on air-assisted systems and their contribution to more uniform coverage. Next, we analyze mechanisms of droplet deposition within canopies, highlighting how wind characteristics, droplet size, and canopy structure influence pesticide distribution. Special attention is given to leaf aerodynamic responses, including bending, vibration, and transient deformation induced by wind and droplet impacts. Experimental and simulation studies reveal how leaf motion affects droplet retention, spreading, and secondary splashing. The limitations of static boundary models in deposition simulations are discussed, along with the potential of fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models. Future directions include integrated leaf-droplet experiments, intelligent airflow control, and incorporating plant biomechanics into precision spraying. Understanding leaf motion in spray environments is key to enhancing orchard spraying efficiency, precision, and sustainability.

Keywords: droplet deposition; canopy structure; fluid-structure interaction; precision agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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