Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are transforming precision plant protection through early crop-stress detection, pest surveillance, and targeted pesticide application. Equipped with RGB, multispectral, and thermal sensors, drones facilitate crop monitoring, mapping, and precision spraying. Multirotor, fixed-wing, single-rotor, and hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platforms serve diverse agricultural needs. Emerging applications include sterile insect technique (SIT), pheromone deployment, and targeted release of beneficial organisms. Despite challenges related to cost, payload, battery life, weather, and regulations, advances in artificial intelligence and autonomous navigation enhance sustainable plant protection.