AgZen releases RealCoverage system to improve sprayer efficiency

When considering spraying soybeans, every acre gets about a billion droplets on each pass, and, until now, there has been no effective data on where those droplets are going.

“AgZen is taking the blindfold off and telling operators how they can spray more effectively,” says Vishnu Jayaprakash, CEO and co-founder of AgZen. “Everyone is facing the same challenge, which is getting water-based spray to get to and stay on what tends to be water-repellant plant surfaces.”

The technology combines a camera system with artificial intelligence to provide real-time information, a process called feedback-enabled spraying. 

“We’re actually measuring how many droplets are making it onto the plants, and measuring it live and in real time,” he says. “As you drive through the field, you’re seeing all the droplets — no matter how small — on the leaves, and the onboard AI is giving you recommendations on how to adjust your parameters to get the most efficiency.”

Jayaprakash says in initial testing on soybeans and cotton, users realized a 30% to 50% reduction in pesticide costs.

“Knowing where the spray is going allows growers to reduce their volume, reduce the amount of time spent on refills, and in some cases allows them to go faster,” he says. 

How it works

The camera unit can be bolted on to any self-propelled or pull-behind sprayer in about three hours. Images are captured both just before and just after application, and create a real-time video visible on the in-cab tablet screen. The images are accurate at speeds up to 15 mph. 

The real-time video combined with data stored in an on-board tablet allows for adjustments to be made on the go. As the sprayer moves through the field, images are shown on the tablet and recommendations are made regarding speed, rate, and pressure for optimal coverage. The AI system also provides a predictive snapshot of how the droplets will spread and evaporate over time, giving a complete picture of foliar coverage. 

Maps are generated at the end of each spray, which can be overlaid with yield or pest-pressure maps.

“You have real-time feedback, and feedback at the end of the year that you can look at and say, ‘Was my coverage a problem?’ or was it something else,” Jayaprakash says. 

The RealCoverage unit works with any type of foliar spray, from burn-down to fungicides to foliar nutrition.

“One of our biggest differences is that we’re focused on the fundamental nature of a droplet on a leaf,” he says. “Our gains aren’t limited to one spray per year.”

Price and availability

AgZen units have been installed across the United States and in Europe and are available for the 2024 season. The current pricing model is $2 per sprayed acre with free installation and a five-day trial period before the lease begins. Growers can also purchase a unit outright for $50,000. 

“Our trials show we can save $15 to $32 per acre on soybeans and even more on other crops,” Jayaprakash says. 

For more information, visit www.agzen.com.