Independent ILVO Trials Confirm Meaningful Drift Reduction with MagrowTec – Without the Usual Coverage Trade-Off
Reducing spray drift remains one of the most important challenges in modern crop protection. It influences environmental impact, regulatory compliance, and the effectiveness of plant protection products.
New independent field trials by the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO) provide robust evidence that MagrowTec’s magnetic-assisted spray technology meaningfully reduces drift across multiple international standards and real-world configurations.
These studies were conducted in accordance with strict ISO and national protocols across French, Dutch, and international reference systems. Each protocol included controlled meteorological monitoring, repeated runs, mineral chelate tracers, and full analytical quantification of spray deposition from 0.5 to 25 metres downwind.
Why Working with ILVO Really Matters:
ILVO is one of Europe’s leading authorities in spray technology and drift measurement.
Their independent assessment gives growers confidence in the real-world relevance of the results, thanks to rigorously controlled field conditions and established methodologies, including ISO 22866 and the Dutch TCT drift-classification protocol.
What the Independent Results Actually Show:
How MagrowTec Performed in the French Testing Setup:
MagrowTec delivered a 34.2% global drift reduction when fitted to a sprayer operating under the French reference configuration (Albuz AXI 110 02 at 2.5 bar, 110 L/ha).
This means a sprayer achieving 66% drift reduction could reach approximately 77.6% when equipped with MagrowTec.
The Dutch Trials: Hitting the Highest Drift-Reduction Levels!
Under the Dutch national DRT method, MagrowTec achieved 97.7% drift reduction in the critical 2–3 m evaluation zone, qualifying the system for the 97.5% DRT class, one of the highest tiers recognised in the Netherlands.
Across All Setups: Consistent Gains in Drift Control
Across five nozzle configurations, including multiple drift-reducing technologies, MagrowTec achieved an average drift reduction of 24.3%, with individual values between 5.9 and 36.4% depending on baseline nozzle classification.
No More Choosing Between Drift Reduction and Coverage
One of the biggest challenges in drift reduction technology is the common trade-off between larger droplets (which drift less) and reduced spray coverage.
In many systems, improved drift control comes at the cost of poorer canopy penetration and leaf surface wetting.
This is where MagrowTec stands out.
Although the ILVO studies focused specifically on drift quantification, not coverage measurement, they clearly demonstrate that MagrowTec improves drift performance even when used alongside established drift reduction solutions, including 50%, 75% and 90% drift reducing nozzles.
This is a critical point for growers.
The ILVO results show:
- MagrowTec enhances the performance of low-drift and drift-reducing nozzles, which otherwise rely heavily on large droplets.
- Drift reductions were achieved without changing spray pressure, forward speed or application volume, meaning droplet size and operating parameters were not altered to artificially influence results.
- The technology can lift a sprayer into a higher drift reduction class, improving environmental performance while still allowing growers to retain their preferred nozzle types and application strategies.
For growers, this reinforces one of MagrowTec’s core value propositions:
improving drift control without relying on the droplet size trade-offs that often compromise coverage.
Why this Matters to Growers:
More spray on target
Independent results show lower off-target movement across every configuration tested, meaning a greater proportion of the spray is delivered where intended.
Better use of input costs
Keeping more product within the crop helps maximise the value of every litre applied.
Environmental and regulatory benefits
Reducing drift helps protect waterways, field margins and non-target organisms, while supporting compliance with increasingly strict EU and national regulations.
Compatibility with existing equipment
The technology integrates into standard sprayers without requiring changes to nozzles, operating pressure or forward speed. This reduces barriers to adoption and maintains operational flexibility.
“This research reinforces what we see every day in the field: better drift control and better coverage can go hand in hand. MagrowTec is helping move the industry toward a future where precision, sustainability and profitability are all aligned.”
Nick Jessop – Magrowtec Director of Crop Science
Where This Technology Fits into the Future of Spraying
Across three independent bodies of work and multiple drift reduction classes, ILVO’s findings demonstrate that MagrowTec provides growers with a practical, validated way to reduce drift while retaining the flexibility and performance they need from their spraying systems.
As pressure grows for sustainable, efficient and environmentally responsible crop protection, technologies that improve drift control without compromising coverage will become increasingly important.
MagrowTec provides growers with exactly that type of solution, backed by rigorous scientific evaluation.
Nick Jessop
Nick has over 15 years of experience in crop protection and agricultural research. He worked for 5 years as a research associate at the International Pesticide Application Research Centre (IPARC), at Imperial College London.
Nick’s other roles include: Head of Technology Development at UK-based SME Exosect Ltd, Global Development Scientist for Arysta LifeScience’s seed treatment division, Head of Primary Production and Agricultural Research at Campden BRI, one of Europe’s leading food and drink research organisations. Inventor of 23 granted patents and 29 pending, primarily related to dose transfer optimisation of pesticides. Nick has several publications on efficient use of application equipment and holds a Master’s degree with distinction in Crop Protection from Imperial College London.
