High above the Kentucky cornfields, researchers are betting that drones can deliver precise fungicide sprays without the cost and access hurdles of traditional methods. The University of Kentucky’s Research and Education Center in Princeton is steering a multi-department effort to optimize drone spray systems for foliar disease management in Kentucky’s corn belt. Now in year two, the project brings together plant pathology, biosystems engineering, and agricultural engineering with backing from the Kentucky Corn Growers Association. The team plans to share results with farmers at a hands-on workshop in early 2026.

Dr. Kiersten Wise, a plant pathology specialist and the study’s principal investigator, notes that drone-based fungicide applications have already proven viable for managing foliar diseases, particularly in smaller fields where trees or terrain block traditional manned aircraft. Untreated foliar diseases can erode yield and lift costs, with figures in Kentucky reaching about $15 per acre in potential losses. The team aims to push beyond proof-of-concept, translating laboratory findings into practical guidance for growers using the technology for the drone fungicide application in real fields.

In prior on-farm work conducted in 2019, Wise and collaborators found that spraying foliar fungicides by drone at tasseling and early silking could effectively manage gray leaf spot when spray carrier volumes followed recommended guidelines. Building on that foundation, UK’s researchers, including precision agriculture specialist Tim Stombaugh, are comparing drones to traditional high-clearance ground systems. They are scrutinizing how flight speed, altitude, and environmental conditions like wind influence spray coverage and deposition—crucial factors for a reliable drone fungicide application.

According to Kentucky New Era, the researchers are careful to manage expectations. Although drone applications can achieve substantial leaf deposition, the actual swath—the width of corn covered in a single pass—may diverge from manufacturer claims once you factor in speed, height, and wind. The team emphasizes pattern accuracy: at wind speeds as low as 5 mph, spray distribution can shift, potentially affecting disease control if the pattern misses key leaves. These insights are essential for farmers and commercial applicators who must balance speed, coverage, and cost when deploying drone technology for disease control.

In comparative trials conducted at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton, spray was applied to corn plots via both drone and ground methods, with deposition measured on corn ear leaves. Early results suggest ground sprayers delivered broader coverage across the canopy, but drone applications deposited a greater total volume onto leaves in some cases. Importantly, both methods reduced disease where present, indicating that drone fungicide application can be a viable tool rather than a replacement for traditional methods. The takeaway: the drone’s value lies in its ability to reach otherwise inaccessible fields and to supplement, not necessarily replace, existing spray programs.

Looking ahead, Wise and Stombaugh say the goal is to enable farmers and commercial applicators to extract maximum value from drone fungicide applications. They stress the need to optimize flight speed, height, and wind management to improve coverage and efficacy. The project is advancing in tandem with industry training efforts led by the Kentucky Agricultural Training School (KATS), part of the UK Cooperative Extension Service. A hands-on workshop focused on spray-pattern testing is scheduled for February 26, 2026, in Princeton, with registration details to be announced by KATS. This approach signals a broader push: integrate drone spraying into practical agronomic programs rather than treating it as a one-off experiment.

UK’s collaboration with the Kentucky Corn Growers Association has been pivotal, providing funding and a pathway to farmer-facing results. The partnership underscores a larger shift in agriculture: researchers, industry groups, and extension services co-create knowledge that translates into lower-cost, more accessible disease management options for grain producers. For farmers, the implication is clear: drone fungicide application can expand treatment options in irregular fields and beyond the reach of traditional equipment, potentially improving disease control and yield when used with carefully tuned parameters.

Implications for growers and manufacturers

For growers, the key takeaway is that drone-based spraying is maturing from a novelty into a practical adjunct to conventional methods. The research highlights that, while swath width claims are useful, real-world conditions will shape effective deployment. Manufacturers of agricultural drones and spraying systems should consider providing clearer guidance on how to calibrate flight speed, altitude, carrier volumes, and wind buffers to maximize deposition and coverage. This aligns with a broader trend toward data-driven agronomy where field measurements feed adaptive spray decisions in real time.

What’s next for policy and practice

The study’s emphasis on field-tested results and extension outreach foreshadows more structured adoption. With ongoing partnerships and upcoming workshops, policymakers and industry players may push for standardized best practices, training curricula, and perhaps even regulatory frameworks that recognize drone-based fungicides as a mainstream option in corn disease management. For defense planners and researchers, the broader message is that automation can augment precision agriculture while reducing labor intensity and environmental footprint.

Conclusion

UK researchers are mapping a practical path for drone fungicide application in corn, moving from proof-of-concept to field-ready protocols. By studying swath width, deposition, wind effects, and deposition patterns, they are laying the groundwork for smarter drone spray programs that can improve disease control and yield. For the broader drone industry, this work signals a maturation of agricultural drones into a reliable, scalable tool that complements traditional methods and expands access to effective disease management across diverse field conditions. As growers prepare for upcoming workshops and real-world trials, the conversation is shifting from whether drones can spray to how best to tune them for tangible farm results.