Key Takeaways
- AgZen and Corteva formed a partnership to evaluate RealCoverage®, combining chemistry expertise with real-time droplet intelligence.
- RealCoverage® uses computer vision and AI to track droplet coverage on plants, addressing long-standing uncertainties in traditional spraying.
- Growers report 30–50% reductions in inputs with improved control outcomes across herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, defoliants, and nutrition products.
- Nearly one million acres of field data is reshaping understanding of spray dynamics across different leaf types and growth stages.
- AgZen aims to lead the next phase of precision agriculture by linking field intelligence with chemical science.
How the Corteva Collaboration Took Shape
Vishnu Jayprakash Highlights a Shared Goal
The collaboration between AgZen and Corteva began with a mutual interest in advancing global precision spraying capabilities. Each company brings distinct strengths—Corteva in formulation, chemistry, and agronomy, and AgZen in real-time sensing and optimization.
“This deep-tech collaboration is not just about refining application practices; it is designed to use field data to inform and accelerate the development and optimization of future crop protection products,” said Vishnu Jayprakash, CEO of AgZen. The joint evaluation aims to demonstrate how precise droplet control can elevate product performance and reduce variability for growers.
What Sets RealCoverage® Apart From Traditional Systems
A Shift From Rate-Based Spraying to Droplet-Level Accuracy
RealCoverage® uses computer vision and AI to directly measure the droplets that reach plant surfaces—something traditional systems cannot do. Conventional approaches typically track spray rates or nozzle output, leaving open the critical question of what actually lands on the leaf.
“Our feedback-based approach provides growers with unprecedented visibility and control, removing the pervasive uncertainty that has historically led to both chemical waste and inconsistent crop protection results,” Vishnu Jayprakash noted.
Data-Driven Efficiency Gains Across Nearly One Million Acres
By calibrating applications to microliters per square centimeter rather than gallons per acre, RealCoverage® helps farmers reduce chemical usage without compromising outcomes. Savings can reach $130,000 in a single season, with benefits also including reduced drift, runoff, and more consistent control.
Field data collected across the U.S. is also revealing new insights. Jayprakash pointed to important questions emerging from this dataset: “For the same chemical, why would we expect that a waterhemp leaf and a foxtail leaf need the same level of coverage for the chemical to work well?”
Partnerships as a Pathway to Scalable, Trustworthy Innovation
AgZen sees collaborations with established players as essential for scaling new technologies. Pairing deep-tech innovation with traditional agronomic authority helps validate new systems and ensures they are ready for global deployment.
Looking Ahead: Integrating Chemistry and Field Intelligence
Jayprakash described the future of crop protection as an integrated process connecting equipment, chemistry, interfacial science, and agronomy. AgZen aims to lead this shift by continuing to advance RealCoverage® and linking droplet-level intelligence with chemical performance.
“Our work is focused on maximizing the performance of every single spray droplet,” he said, emphasizing the goal of more efficient and environmentally responsible solutions across the value chain.
