Shandong county bolsters efforts in disaster prevention, yield protection

A bird's-eye view of drones spraying pesticide to help prevent disaster and protect yields in Ningyang county, Shandong province. [Photo by He Rui/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Under the guidance of agricultural experts in Ningyang county, Shandong province, drones are helping to prevent disaster and protect yields of wheat crops.

As the wheat approaches the heading and flowering stage, agricultural experts are instructing farmers to use drones for so-called "one spray, three protections" operations to mitigate the impact of dry hot wind damage on wheat yields.

In the high-standard farmland of Nanzhao village, Xiangyin township, Ningyang county, drones loaded with pesticides fly low, evenly spraying the crops and providing a protective coat.

A flying prevention service team conducts "one spray, three protections" operations in wheat fields in Ningyang county, Shandong province. [Photo by He Rui/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The "one spray, three protections" operation uses insecticides, fungicides, water-soluble fertilizers, and growth regulators to combat powdery mildew, rust, fusarium head blight, aphids, and other pests and diseases, laying a solid foundation for a successful harvest.

In addition, the use of internet of things technology facilitates easier monitoring and data collection, ensuring uninterrupted drone operations and reinforcing the foundation for stable and increased wheat yields.

To effectively manage pest and disease control in the mid to late stages of wheat growth, Ningyang county has also enlisted agricultural experts like Zhu Luning to engage directly with farmers in the fields. These experts assess crop conditions, soil moisture levels, and the development of pests and diseases, providing farmers with face-to-face guidance. They also remind farmers to irrigate their crops during the grain-filling stage in a timely manner in order to ensure optimal growth and yield.

Through these preventive measures, wheat yields are expected to increase by over 10 percent, with real-time monitoring of the "one spray, three protections" process providing strong support for a successful wheat harvest. (Edited by Yang Yi)