Case study: Reducing 86% herbicides by only targeting grass weeds in onions

By integrating drone mapping with BBLeap’s ultra-precise 25×25 cm spot-spraying technology, Dutch grower Johan Bierma eliminated the need for wasteful, full-field herbicide applications in sensitive onion crops. This targeted approach isolated localized grass weeds to treat just 1.3 hectares of a 9.5-hectare field, cutting chemical volume and costs by 86% while protecting the untreated crop from chemical stress. 

The Challenge: Precision Weed Control in Sensitive Onion Crops 

Traditionally, managing grass weeds in onion crops meant uniform, full-field herbicide applications. This broadcast approach resulted in high chemical costs, unnecessary environmental pressure, and the chemical exposure of sensitive onion plants that did not require treatment. Blanket spraying the entire 9.5-hectare field to eliminate localized grass weed patches was both economically inefficient and agronomically sub-optimal. 

The Innovation: Leapbox High Resolution Spot-Spraying

Johan paired drone intelligence with ultra-precise application. By scouting the field ahead of time, he identifies exact grass and cereal weeds rather than guessing. Making a taskmap from those drone images can be sent to LeapSpace. The BBLeap system then translates that data into immediate action, ensuring chemicals only hit actual weeds while leaving the sensitive onion crop completely untouched.

• Ultra-High 25×25 cm Resolution: BBLeap’s advanced nozzle control allows the sprayer to activate down to a tiny 25×25 cm grid. This means the system applies herbicide strictly to localized grass and cereal weed spots, eliminating the need to spray the rest of the 9.5-hectare field.
• Seamless LeapSpace Cloud Integration: The drone based taskmaps don’t require manual transfer or clunky USB drives. They are sent directly to the sprayer via LeapSpace, bridging the gap between weed detection and executing.
• Predictive Dosage & Volume Optimization: Because the taskmap calculates the exact surface area of the weed patches before the tractor even leaves the shed, Johan knows the precise number of liters needed for the job. This prevents chemical waste, lowers water volume, and cuts input costs.

Input Reduction & Financial Yield

Johan is trying to do its herbicide treatments only where it is needed so he can save on the use of chemicals from a financial and environmental perspective. By investing in a simple drone he has the drone operations in his own hand and can plan this in his daily farm work. In this field he saved easily 86% in chemicals and costs. 

Key Results at a Glance:

• Reduced Sprayed Area: Only 1.3 ha treated out of 9.5 ha, 86% reduction in applied liquid volume.
• High accuracy: The 25 x 25 cm resolution results in a high precision on the weeds. 
• Financial Impact: A direct cash saving of € 820.00 on these fields alone (a total cost reduction of 86%).

Agronomic Outlook & Future Potential

The outcome of this application is a solid starting point for all other chemical treatments on his farm. Besides that the herbicide used in this application is only effective against grass weeds. By only focusing on these weeds the maximum efficiency of this chemical is used instead of spray it on all weeds in the field, that will be a waste of chemical use. Due to the BBLeap technology, Johan will also be able to variate in rate for bigger weeds compared to smaller weeds. It highlights how BBLeap allows modern growers to hit aggressive environmental sustainability targets while aggressively improving their bottom-line margins.

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