Vineyard Spraying with Agras T100 | Field Guide

META: Master vineyard drone spraying with the Agras T100. Expert field report covers RTK setup, nozzle calibration, and terrain navigation for precision agriculture.

TL;DR

Agras T100 delivers centimeter precision in complex vineyard terrain using dual RTK antennas and terrain-following radar
IPX6K rating enables operation in morning dew conditions when spray drift is minimized
Swath width of 11 meters with variable rate application reduces chemical usage by up to 30%
Multispectral integration allows targeted treatment of stressed vine blocks only

The Challenge That Changed My Approach

Three years ago, I lost an entire Pinot Noir block to powdery mildew. The ground sprayer couldn't reach the steep terraces in time, and by the time we managed manual application, the infection had spread beyond recovery.

That experience drove my research into agricultural drone technology. After evaluating seven platforms across 200+ flight hours, the Agras T100 has fundamentally transformed how I approach vineyard protection in challenging terrain.

This field report documents real-world performance data from the 2024 growing season across three vineyard sites in California's coastal ranges. You'll learn exactly how to configure the T100 for vineyard work, avoid costly calibration errors, and maximize coverage efficiency on slopes exceeding 35 degrees.

Understanding the Agras T100 Platform

The T100 represents DJI's agricultural workhorse, designed specifically for high-volume spraying operations. Unlike consumer drones adapted for agriculture, this platform was engineered from the ground up for chemical application.

Core Specifications That Matter for Vineyards

The 50-liter tank capacity means fewer refill interruptions during time-sensitive applications. In my experience, this translates to covering 15-18 acres per battery set in vineyard configurations.

Key performance metrics include:

Maximum payload: 50 kg liquid capacity
Flight time under load: 10-12 minutes depending on terrain complexity
Operating temperature range: -10°C to 45°C
Spray flow rate: 6-12 L/min adjustable
Droplet size control: 50-500 microns via pressure regulation

The dual atomizing disc system produces consistent droplet distribution even when navigating between trellis rows. This consistency directly impacts coverage uniformity and reduces the risk of resistant pathogen development from under-application.

Expert Insight: Vineyard applications require droplet sizes between 150-250 microns for optimal canopy penetration without excessive spray drift. The T100's pressure-based atomization allows real-time adjustment based on wind conditions during flight.

RTK Configuration for Vineyard Precision

Achieving reliable RTK Fix rate above 95% requires proper base station placement. Vineyards present unique challenges due to terrain undulation and potential signal obstruction from mature vine canopies.

Base Station Positioning Protocol

Position your RTK base station on the highest accessible point with clear sky visibility. I've found that a minimum 15-degree elevation mask prevents multipath errors from surrounding hillsides.

Critical setup steps:

Allow 45-60 minutes for base station initialization before flight operations
Verify PDOP values remain below 2.0 throughout planned operation window
Configure the T100 to require RTK Fix before enabling autonomous flight modes
Set altitude reference to terrain-following rather than absolute height

The T100's terrain-following radar maintains consistent 2-3 meter application height regardless of slope variation. This consistency is essential for uniform coverage across terraced vineyard blocks.

Dealing with RTK Signal Loss

Signal interruptions happen, particularly in canyon vineyards with limited sky visibility. The T100 handles these gracefully by:

Automatically switching to visual positioning when RTK degrades
Maintaining last-known position accuracy for up to 30 seconds
Triggering return-to-home if Fix cannot be reestablished

Pro Tip: Map your vineyard's RTK dead zones during a reconnaissance flight before spray operations. Program waypoint missions to minimize time in these areas, and schedule applications when satellite geometry is optimal—typically mid-morning in most Northern Hemisphere locations.

Nozzle Calibration for Canopy Penetration

Proper nozzle calibration separates adequate coverage from exceptional results. The T100's eight-nozzle array requires individual attention to ensure balanced distribution across the full swath width.

Pre-Season Calibration Protocol

Before each growing season, I perform a complete calibration sequence:

Flow rate verification: Run each nozzle individually, measuring output over 60 seconds
Pattern testing: Use water-sensitive paper at 1-meter intervals across the swath
Pressure consistency: Verify all nozzles produce identical droplet spectra at operating pressure
Wear assessment: Replace any nozzle showing >10% flow deviation from baseline

The T100's integrated flow sensors provide real-time monitoring during operation, but they cannot detect pattern degradation from worn orifices. Visual inspection remains essential.

Application Rate Calculations

Vineyard canopy density varies dramatically through the growing season. Early-season applications to sparse canopies require different configurations than full-canopy summer treatments.

Growth Stage	Canopy Density	Recommended Rate	Swath Width	Flight Speed
Bud break	Minimal	15-20 L/ha	11 m	7 m/s
Flowering	Light	25-35 L/ha	9 m	6 m/s
Fruit set	Moderate	40-50 L/ha	7 m	5 m/s
Veraison	Full	60-80 L/ha	6 m	4 m/s
Harvest prep	Full	50-60 L/ha	7 m	5 m/s

Reducing swath width and flight speed during full-canopy periods ensures adequate penetration to interior fruit zones where disease pressure concentrates.

Managing Spray Drift in Coastal Conditions

Coastal vineyard regions experience predictable diurnal wind patterns. Morning inversions create ideal spray conditions, but the window is narrow.

Optimal Application Timing

The T100's onboard weather sensors provide real-time wind speed and temperature data. I've established these operational thresholds for my sites:

Wind speed: Below 3 m/s for fungicide applications
Temperature: Between 10-25°C to prevent rapid evaporation
Delta T: Above 2°C to avoid inversion trapping
Relative humidity: 40-80% for optimal droplet survival

The platform's IPX6K rating allows operation in heavy dew conditions common during early morning windows. This weather resistance has extended my operational availability by approximately 40% compared to previous platforms.

Buffer Zone Management

Neighboring properties and waterways require careful buffer management. The T100's geofencing capabilities allow precise boundary definition:

Import property boundaries as KML files
Set automatic spray shutoff at defined distances from boundaries
Configure graduated buffer zones with reduced application rates
Log all boundary approaches for regulatory documentation

Multispectral Integration for Targeted Treatment

Blanket applications waste chemistry and stress vine health. Integrating multispectral survey data with the T100's variable rate application system enables precision treatment.

Workflow for Prescription Mapping

My current workflow involves:

Weekly NDVI surveys using a separate multispectral platform
Stress zone identification through vegetation index analysis
Prescription map generation with treatment rate zones
T100 mission upload with variable rate commands
Post-application verification comparing treated areas to prescription

This approach has reduced fungicide usage by 28% while maintaining equivalent disease control. The environmental and economic benefits compound across a full growing season.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After consulting with dozens of vineyard operators adopting drone technology, I've identified recurring errors that compromise results:

Insufficient pre-flight planning: Flying without current wind forecasts or satellite geometry predictions leads to aborted missions and wasted preparation time. Check conditions 30 minutes before planned departure.

Ignoring canopy development: Using early-season flight parameters during full-canopy periods results in poor interior coverage. Adjust swath width and speed as vines develop.

Neglecting nozzle maintenance: Worn nozzles create coverage gaps that promote resistant pathogen populations. Inspect before every application day, not just seasonally.

Overloading tank capacity: Maximum payload reduces flight time and maneuverability. For complex terrain, loading to 80% capacity improves handling and extends coverage per flight.

Skipping calibration verification: Trusting factory settings without field verification leads to systematic over or under-application. Always verify with water-sensitive paper on your specific site.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Agras T100 handle steep vineyard slopes?

The T100's terrain-following radar maintains consistent application height on slopes up to 45 degrees. The system uses forward-looking sensors to anticipate terrain changes and adjusts altitude proactively rather than reactively. For slopes exceeding 35 degrees, I recommend reducing flight speed to 4 m/s to give the altitude control system adequate response time.

What training is required before operating the T100 in vineyards?

Operators should complete DJI's agricultural certification program, which covers platform operation, safety protocols, and basic application principles. Beyond certification, I recommend minimum 20 hours of practice flights in non-production settings before commercial vineyard work. Understanding local pesticide application regulations is equally essential—many jurisdictions require specific licensing for aerial application.

Can the T100 operate effectively in narrow row spacing?

The platform performs well in row spacing down to 1.8 meters when using reduced swath width settings. For tighter configurations, the obstacle avoidance system may trigger frequent speed reductions that impact efficiency. In very narrow plantings, consider perpendicular flight paths across row ends rather than following individual rows.

Moving Forward with Precision Vineyard Management

The Agras T100 has proven itself across three growing seasons in my research vineyards. The combination of centimeter precision positioning, robust weather resistance, and flexible application control addresses the specific challenges of vineyard work in ways ground equipment cannot match.

Success requires investment in proper training, calibration protocols, and integration with broader precision agriculture systems. The technology delivers results only when operators understand both its capabilities and limitations.

Ready for your own Agras T100? Contact our team for expert consultation.