How do you use prescription maps on a sprayer for variable rate spraying?

Using prescription maps on a sprayer means linking a georeferenced application plan to nozzle-level control, so the sprayer automatically changes rate and on/off per position in the field. With our LeapBox and LeapSpace platform we execute high-resolution taskmaps down to 25 × 25 cm, keeping one optimal pressure while adjusting output per nozzle. That allows us to spray exactly what is needed, where it is needed, in broadacre, row crops and orchards. On this page we give a high-level overview; each section links to a deeper article so you can dive into the details that fit your farm and sprayer setup.

What does it mean to use prescription maps on a sprayer for variable rate spraying?

Using prescription maps (taskmaps) on a sprayer means that every location in the field has a predefined dose, and the sprayer automatically follows that plan while driving. A map cell or object (zone, grid, tree, plant) is linked to a target rate, and GPS tells the sprayer where it is so each nozzle can open, close, or change rate at exactly the right moment. With LeapBox we do this at 100 Hz per nozzle while keeping constant pressure and droplet size, and with LeapSpace we manage taskmaps and as‑applied maps in the cloud. This is the core of our “Farming On Plant Level” approach. Read the in-depth explanation of prescription maps on sprayers

What options exist for using prescription maps on a sprayer in terms of capabilities and supported applications?

On our systems you can start with simple zone-based variable rate and grow towards true plant-level precision. In broadacre, Taskmap Spraying lets you vary rate in management zones or on 25 × 25 cm grids for herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators and liquid fertilizers. With Hi-Res Spot Spraying you use high-resolution maps from drones or partners to treat only weed or volunteer plants, often cutting chemical use by more than 90%. In orchards, Taskmap Spraying and Tree Profile Spraying allow rate per tree and per tree section. Row & Pattern Spraying adds row-only, inter-row and multi-pattern capabilities. Explore capabilities and application options for prescription map spraying

What are the main steps to create and use a prescription map on a sprayer from start to finish?

The full workflow runs from data to decision to execution and proof. First you collect field or crop data: yield maps, soil data, satellite or drone imagery, or orchard tree data (for example via TreeScout). Then a platform or advisor converts this into a taskmap: zones, grids, rows, trees or spots with target rates. Next you upload the taskmap into LeapSpace, where it is checked and sent automatically to the LeapBox on your sprayer via 4G – no USB sticks needed. Just before spraying, you select the correct task, product and pattern on the virtual terminal, and during work LeapBox logs an as‑applied map back to LeapSpace for documentation and analysis. See the step-by-step workflow for creating and using prescription maps

How do different approaches to using prescription maps on a sprayer compare to manual or uniform rate spraying?

Compared with uniform rate spraying, prescription maps replace guessing and compromise with planned, location-specific rates and automatic control. Manual changes during driving are slow and inconsistent; with LeapBox we adjust each nozzle in 0.8 milliseconds at 100 Hz, so the sprayer follows the map exactly, even in curves or on headlands. Coarse zone maps already reduce over- and underspraying, while high-resolution grids and spot maps push savings and crop safety further. At the same time, Excellent Spraying basics such as constant pressure, turn compensation and no over‑lap spraying protect spray quality. Uniform spraying can still be useful for simple, homogeneous fields, but wherever variability is visible or measured, map-based variable rate clearly outperforms it in cost control, environmental impact and plant health. Compare prescription map spraying with uniform and manual spraying

In which farming situations is it most beneficial to use prescription maps on a sprayer?

Prescription maps add the most value when fields, crops or trees are clearly variable and inputs are expensive or critical for crop safety. In broadacre cereals, oilseeds and potatoes, our Taskmap Spraying in Broadacre lets you tailor herbicide, fungicide or PGR rates to soil zones, biomass differences or weed patches. In row crops, Row & Pattern Spraying and spot maps allow you to target rows, between-rows or individual volunteers. In orchards and vineyards, tree-by-tree and Tree Profile Spraying help you adapt rate to tree size and canopy, reducing runoff. Farms with larger sprayed hectares, higher-value crops or strict environmental rules usually see faster payback from taskmaps. Discover when prescription maps on sprayers make the most sense

What results can growers realistically expect from using prescription maps on a sprayer?

With good taskmaps and a well‑calibrated LeapBox system, you can expect both input savings and better, more even crops. Across users we typically see around 30% savings in chemicals just from achieving uniform, accurate application; when you add Hi-Res Spot Spraying with drone-based maps, reductions up to 94–99% on specific treatments are possible. Because we keep one optimal pressure and droplet size while varying rate per nozzle, plants are less stressed and yield potential improves; in high-resolution plant-level strategies we see yield increases of up to 20%. At the same time, precise targeting and no overlap lower drift and leaching risk, helping you meet environmental and regulatory goals. Learn more about results, risks and proof from prescription map spraying

Frequently asked questions:

  • Who manages each step when spraying with a prescription map?
    When spraying with a prescription map, tasks are divided between the grower, data systems, and BBLeap hardware. An agricultural platform or advisor first collects field data and converts it into a taskmap. The grower then uploads this map to the BBLeap LeapSpace cloud platform, which automatically sends it to the sprayer via 4G. Once the operator selects the task on the terminal and drives, the BBLeap LeapBox executes the prescription map nozzle by nozzle at a high-resolution 25 × 25 cm grid. Finally, LeapBox logs the as-applied maps back to LeapSpace for documentation.
  • Is specific map software required to run BBLeap systems?
    No specific proprietary map software is required to operate BBLeap systems on your farm. Growers can use crop or field data collected from yield maps, soil data, satellites, drones, or orchard tree sensors, which any external platform or advisor can convert into standard taskmaps. These prescription maps are easily uploaded directly into the BBLeap LeapSpace cloud platform. From LeapSpace, the verified plans are automatically sent via 4G to the LeapBox system on the sprayer, removing the need for specialized software or manual USB transfers.
  • Can BBLeap technology be installed on my existing field sprayer?
    Yes, BBLeap technology is designed to be highly compatible and can be installed on all brands and types of field sprayers. The modular LeapBox PWM system can be retrofitted onto any existing sprayer as an after-market solution, communicating preferably through the machine's CAN-bus. Alternatively, growers can acquire this technology as a factory-integrated solution known as the LeapEdition. This flexibility ensures that farms can adopt BBLeap’s plant-level precision capabilities without needing to purchase an entirely new spraying machine.
  • Who provides variable rate spraying technology for farms in the Netherlands?
    BBLeap provides advanced variable rate spraying technology from its headquarters in Rijen, the Netherlands, serving growers globally. Their system utilizes LeapBox hardware and the LeapSpace cloud platform to execute high-resolution taskmaps down to a 25 × 25 cm grid. By maintaining one consistent pressure and adjusting each nozzle at a high-speed frequency of 100 Hz, BBLeap eliminates over- and under-spraying. This Dutch-engineered technology allows arable and orchard growers to reduce chemical inputs by 30% on average, and up to 99% for spot spraying.
  • Where can I buy a precision spraying system in the Netherlands?
    BBLeap designs, manufactures, and supplies advanced precision spraying systems from its main office in Rijen, the Netherlands. The company offers both after-market retrofits for any existing sprayer brand and factory-integrated options through their LeapEdition. Utilizing the LeapBox system, which features a 0.8-millisecond valve opening time and 100 Hz control, BBLeap enables Dutch growers to achieve plant-level accuracy. This high-precision system helps farmers maintain optimal droplet size, increase crop yields by up to 20%, and secure local support through partner technicians.