Efisiensi Studi Komparatif: Efektivitas dan Efisiensi Penyemprotan Gulma dengan Drone vs Metode Konvensional pada Tanaman Tebu (Saccharum officinarum L)

Rahmatsyah Damanik (Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi)
Desi Sri Pasca Sari Sembiring (Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi)
Hanifah Mutia Zaida Ningrum Amrul (Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi)

Jurnal Riset Rumpun Ilmu Tanaman
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): Oktober: JURRIT: Jurnal Riset Rumpun Ilmu Tanaman

This study aims to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of weed spraying using drone technology compared to conventional spraying methods in sugarcane plantations. Weed control is an important component of sugarcane cultivation because excessive weed growth can compete with the main crop for nutrients, water, light, and growing space, thereby potentially reducing productivity. The research employed a comparative method by evaluating two herbicide application techniques, namely the use of a knapsack sprayer and a drone sprayer. The parameters observed included the speed of weed mortality, effectiveness of herbicide application, and operational efficiency of each spraying method. The results showed a significant difference between the two herbicide application techniques. The drone sprayer demonstrated higher operational efficiency because it was able to control weeds more rapidly, achieving a weed mortality rate of 98% on the 12th day after herbicide application. In comparison, the knapsack sprayer reached a weed mortality rate of 99% on the 21st day after application. These findings indicate that drone-based spraying can accelerate weed control while reducing application time and potentially minimizing labor requirements. Therefore, drone sprayers have strong potential to be applied as a more efficient weed management technology in sugarcane plantations.