AutoSpray Systems and De Sangosse Partner for UK-First Autonomous Drone Trial

June 4, 2025, Sarah Ferrie,

Drone applied pod sealant reduces pod shatter even further

MANTERRA LTD, HESSLESKEW LANE, YORKSHIRE – AutoSpray Systems, leaders in the UK’s agri-drone revolution, have today partnered with European crop science leader De Sangosse to conduct a UK-first trial applying the pod sealant Pod-Stik using an autonomous drone.

The trial, taking place at Andrew Manfield's farm in Yorkshire, marks a significant step forward in UK agricultural practice. It is the first time the specialised product, which reduces shattering of oilseed rape pods due to wind or rain in the critical final weeks before harvest, has been applied by a drone in the UK.

The demonstration was performed by an autonomous XAG P100 Pro drone. This advanced aircraft can cover up to 20 hectares an hour and offers profound benefits over traditional ground-based spraying, including the ability to operate when the ground is wet, the elimination of soil compaction, and a reduction in operator exposure to chemicals.

Landmark moment

Robert Pearson, Founder and CEO of AutoSpray Systems, commented, “this UK-first trial with De Sangosse is a landmark moment. We're not just proving that a vital product like Pod-Stik can be applied with precision from the air, we're demonstrating a smarter, more sustainable way to farm.

“Drones offer clear advantages – including the ability to operate when ground conditions are too wet for traditional machinery, the elimination of soil compaction, and a reduced safety risk for the operator.

“While Pod-Stik is a low-risk additive application in this trial, the real potential lies in the future. As CRD-approved crop protection products become compatible with drone application, this technology could deliver a major step forward in reducing operator exposure to agrochemicals.

“Our collaboration with an industry leader like De Sangosse, showcases how we are working together to roll out solutions built for real-world challenges,”
– Robert Pearson, Founder and CEO of AutoSpray Systems

Stuart Sutherland, Technical Business Manager at De Sangosse, explained that Pod-Stik is a latex polymer sealant designed to protect the seam of podded crops like oilseed rape.

“Pod-Stik tacks and seals the pod seam, reducing its natural tendency to split and shatter in challenging weather conditions leading up to harvest,” he said. “Achieving even coverage across the crop is critical to ensuring effective protection, and in this trial, we’re exploring how variables like water volume and droplet size impact that coverage—using fluorescent marker dye to analyse results.”

Stuart described the partnership as a turning point in UK agriculture. “We’re thrilled to be working with AutoSpray Systems — this is a real breakthrough. The ability to apply an essential pre-harvest treatment without ever setting foot in the crop is extremely exciting. It’s cutting-edge technology that has the potential to make UK farming faster, smarter and more efficient.”

He added that drone-based application also delivers significant environmental and efficiency benefits. “Drone technology allows us to drastically reduce water volumes. In the trial, we were operating at just 25 litres per hectare and still achieved excellent coverage.”

Considerable benefits to farmers

For Yorkshire grower Andrew Manfield, who hosted the trial, the advantages of drone application were clear from the outset.

“We’ve overcome a lot this season and brought the oilseed rape through to a point where we’re hopeful for a strong harvest,” he said. “But protecting that potential is always a challenge—especially up here on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds where wind damage is a real risk.”

“Traditionally, we’d use Pod-Stik to protect the pods, but the downside is having to run a sprayer through a mature crop. With plants standing at around seven feet tall, even a self-propelled sprayer causes some damage and inevitable yield loss.”

According to Andrew, the drone offers a clear improvement. “It gives us the ability to apply the product without mechanically damaging the crop with the sprayer—and potentially to apply it more effectively. With a standard sprayer, you can optimise nozzles and pressure, but you’ll never get the same level of canopy penetration that a drone can deliver.

“With the drone, we have much finer control of droplet size, and the rotor downdraft helps push the spray into the top layers of the crop where the pods are. That’s a major advantage,” he said.

Looking ahead: The future of farming

It’s just the beginning. This trial builds on the pioneering work AutoSpray has done with UK regulators, including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Chemical Regulation Division (CRD), to establish the world’s first peer-reviewed spray drift data for agricultural drones. This work has positioned the UK as a global leader in the safe, regulated use of drone technology in farming.

For Andrew, the future potential is significant. “One area that stands out is slug pellet application. You’re often applying pellets when it’s wet, and you can’t get machinery onto the land. With drones, you can simply draw a treatment zone on a map and send the drone out—that’s a game-changer.”

“Getting slug pellets on precisely when and where they’re needed, while reducing the overall amount of product used, would be a huge win for efficiency and sustainability.”

AutoSpray Systems is leading the agri-drone revolution in the UK. Its purpose is to revolutionise UK agriculture through the safe, smart, and sustainable use of autonomous drone technology. From setting regulatory standards to training the next generation of pilots, AutoSpray is building the infrastructure and trust the sector needs to thrive.

De Sangosse is a European leader in complementary chemistry and molluscicides providing growers with innovative new approaches to protecting crops against disease, pests and the effects of adverse weather from seed to harvest.

About AutoSpray Systems:

AutoSpray Systems is leading the agri-drone revolution in the UK. Its purpose is to revolutionise UK agriculture through the safe, smart, and sustainable use of autonomous drone technology. From setting regulatory standards to training the next generation of pilots, AutoSpray is building the infrastructure and trust the sector needs to thrive.

About De Sangosse