Identifying plants suitable for aerial seeding by drones in Dutch maize fields during late summer

As understanding of soil health and nutrient cycling has advanced, farmers have shown increased interest in adopting catch crops. In addition, the Dutch government implemented a law stating that after cultivating maize, catch crops must be planted before the first of October. However, maize often cannot be harvested before this date. This leads to difficulties with sowing a catch crop on an empty field. To tackle this problem, aerial seeding with drones is proposed as an alternative sowing method. The primary objective of this study was to discover which plants can be used for aerial seeding by drones. To investigate this, four main characteristics were identified: germination, rooting, shade tolerance, and resistance to machinery traffic. Plants were scored based on their performance for each characteristic. A literature search was conducted in scientific databases and grey literature. In addition, interviews were held to gain more information and practical knowledge. The conclusion is that perennial ryegrass, timothy and orchardgrass are the most suitable grasses. Red clover is a good option within the leguminous species. Within the Brassicaceae family, fodder radish seems to be the best option. Chicory is a viable option to undersow from the other families. These species should be included in future field trials, as they are expected to perform well when seeded by drones. Given the variability in trial conditions reported in the literature, it is essential to conduct new trials in Dutch fields. This is to ensure that results are applicable and relevant to Dutch environmental conditions.