Drones in use: Are they revolutionizing agriculture in Hohenheim?

Drones in use: Are they revolutionizing agriculture in Hohenheim?

The University of Hohenheim began using drones over its green spaces in April 2025. This initiative is part of a comprehensive scientific project dedicated to the protection of historic trees and sustainable irrigation management. The drones, which are around 80 cm in size (without propellers), fly once a week and collect important data about the health of the trees and their water needs.

The focus is particularly on determining when the trees lose their leaves. This project-based endeavor is generously funded with 350,000 euros by the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation. A total of around 100 sensors are used, which were installed by tree climbers on selected trees to collect additional information.

Data acquisition and monitoring

To ensure the scope of the project, the drones will not fly closer than 1,700 meters to Stuttgart Airport, with all flights being registered with the relevant authorities and the police. There are two trained drone pilots on each flight, and the technology features backup systems that ensure a safe landing in the event of a battery or aircraft engine failure. The duration of the project extends from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.

Drones are becoming increasingly important in modern agriculture, particularly in monitoring irrigation systems. The application of drone technology enables farmers to collect precise data and therefore make informed irrigation decisions. Loud Droneserve The use of drones can significantly improve efficiency and sustainability in agriculture.

Optimization in agriculture

Drones create detailed field maps based on multispectral and thermal images. These maps help identify problem areas and enable accurate analysis of water shortages, diseases and pests. By analyzing vegetation indices that provide information about plant height, vegetation density and soil moisture, farmers can assess the condition of their crops and adjust irrigation accordingly.

Technology has developed revolutionary in recent years. It not only offers precise monitoring, but also efficient use of resources through optimized irrigation and fertilization. The use of drones can reduce water consumption by up to 30%, bringing both economic and environmental benefits. These data-driven insights help farmers minimize crop losses through early problem detection Vivo Magazine.

Combining drone technology with automated irrigation systems further increases efficiency. The ability to monitor crop areas in real time offers significant benefits to farmers. The fact is that drone technology is also proving to be a transformative solution in precision agriculture. The challenges that exist when using this technology primarily lie in the legal framework as well as technical aspects of sensor technology and data processing.

In summary, it shows that drones have promising potential for optimizing irrigation and cultivation methods, both in research at the University of Hohenheim and in practical use in agriculture.