EP4081011A1

EP4081011A1 - Methods for spreading seed as single grains together with a seed capsule, and seed capsule

Info

Publication number: EP4081011A1
Application number: EP19835580.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marian Ivanov DICHEVSKI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-12-23
Filing date: 2019-12-23
Publication date: 2022-11-02
Also published as: WO2021129924A1; US20230129508A1

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for spreading seed as single grains by means of an agricultural seed drill having at least one drill element (200), which drill element (200) comprises a metering device (210) and a single-grain depositing means (220) for depositing the seeds as single grains along and/or in a seed furrow (310) provided in the ground (300), wherein a single grain (320) of the seed is deposited in each case at a spacing (II), which can be selected and/or adjusted as needed, from each of the adjacent single grains (320) of the seed, along and/or in the seed furrow (310). The problem addressed by the present invention is that of providing an improved method for spreading seed as single grains. In particular, the intention is intended to allow the field to be cultivated in a more environmentally friendly and productive manner, without significantly increasing costs, particularly in the seed-grain spreading process and/or subsequent working steps. Each single grain (320) of the seed is assigned a number (x) of seed capsules (100), which number can be selected and/or predefined as required; the seed capsules (100) are placed so as to be adjacent to the assigned single grain (320) along and/or in the seed furrow (310); and active and/or stimulating substances (140) comprised by the seed capsules (100) for supporting the single grain (320) assigned thereto are released.

Description

Method for the single grain application of seeds together with a seed capsule and seed capsule

The invention relates to a method for the single-grain application of seed by means of an agricultural sowing unit with at least one sowing element, which sowing element has a metering device and a single-grain deposit for the single-grain depositing of the seed along and / or within a seed furrow arranged in the ground, with one single grain of the seed in each case an as required selectable and / or adjustable distance to respectively adjacent individual grains of the seed is deposited along and / or within the seed furrow.

The so-called single-grain sowing or single-grain depositing is mainly used for industrially grown crops, such as maize, sunflowers, hemp, cotton, soy and other single-grain crops, the yield of which depends on an even plant spacing on the field and which are applied by a precision seeder. Usually the seeds are first separated (e.g. by means of mechanical or pneumatic grain separation) and each single grain is deposited "single grain by grain" with the help of control systems at a predetermined distance to the respective neighboring single grains along or within the seed furrow drawn into the ground. The distance to be determined depends on the respective climatic conditions, the prevailing soil conditions, etc. and of course on the crop itself and is specified by a crop cultivation specialist. The distance to be determined in each case is usually extremely different in different countries.

For a successful sowing and a high yield, on the one hand, a high seed-to-soil contact (in English "seed-to-soil-contact") is decisive, which is why the seed furrow is closed again after the individual grains have been deposited, so that the individual grains in the required Are arranged bottom depth. The required soil depth depends on the respective climatic conditions, the prevailing soil conditions, etc. and of course on the crop itself and is made by a crop cultivation specialist given. The three most important aspects for determining the required soil depth are firstly the moisture content of the soil, secondly the germination energy of the seeds and thirdly the precipitation forecasts for the coming days. Usually the top soil layer is too dry for successful sowing due to solar radiation and drying out, so the seeds and / or individual grains must be placed deeper, at a depth with sufficient moisture content. In different countries, the required soil depth is usually very different. A sowing unit that can be attached to an agricultural tractor for depositing single grains is, for. B. from the company Kuhn SA under the following link: https://www.kuhn.de/internet/webde.nsf/0/C125790C0036B31 EC1257CAC002CB 85A (accessed on November 18, 2019). The sowing unit shown here comprises two sowing elements which are arranged offset to one another with respect to the pulling direction and which are provided for the single-grain placement of two adjacent seed furrows. For this purpose, each sowing element has a hose-like individual grain deposit, which is supplied with the separated seeds by a metering device not shown in the images that can be called up. A similar sowing unit is disclosed, for example, in patent specification EP 2747541 B1. The seed grain dispensing device (sowing unit) described herein comprises a seed grain meter which transports a single seed grain via a seed grain disk to a seed grain conveyor belt. The seed conveyor belt is divided into chambers by means of a large number of screw blades, each of which is intended to receive a single grain. A single grain is released from the seed disk to an upper end of the seed conveyor belt and transported to its lower end by means of the conveyor belt. The lower end opens into a prepared seed furrow and the seed is deposited within this. By varying the pulling speed with which the seed dispensing device is pulled along the seed furrow and varying the running speed of the seed conveyor belt, the distance between the individually deposited seeds is predetermined. The patent specification EP 2996454 B1 discloses a sowing unit in which fertilizers can also be applied together with the seeds, which fertilizers supply the seeds with chemical nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphorus. The disclosed sowing unit has a metering system with which different agricultural products, ie seeds, fertilizer compositions, insecticides, herbicide compositions and inoculants, are stored in separate bulk storage chambers and based, in particular, on recognized soil factor variables, are combined into a selectively metered and mixed combination via selectively controllable metering devices The assembled combination of agricultural products is fed to the ground or deposited in prepared seed furrows via a multi-port opener comprising a total of three seed deposit openings.

Another possibility of supplying the deposited seeds with nutrients directly during sowing is known from US Pat. No. 9,918,426 B2. The device described there is designed to inject liquid fertilizer into the seed furrow via a "sprinkler" for each individual grain, a photo sensor detecting the placement of the seed and a signal for injecting the liquid fertilizer at the same time via a controller. The fertilizers or pesticides brought in together with the seeds are effective immediately. After about one to two weeks, however, the effectiveness decreases, either because the nutrients contained are used up or, for example, diluted by precipitation and / or removed by the seed or seedling. In addition to the precise placement of individual grains, it is also essential for a high harvest yield that the seeds germinate as simultaneously as possible, within a period of 24 to 48 hours.

For example, it is customary to plant the seeds for cultivation with maize at the end of March to April, since during these months the soil temperature is already around 8 ° C. The seed process can be started at this soil temperature without fear of damage to the seed from the cold. In order to be able to start sowing earlier in the year (for example when the soil temperature is around 5 ° C), Hi Bred International, Inc. or Monsanto Company known a so-called "polymer coating" of the seed, which surrounds the individual seed grain with a polymer coating and thus protects against too cold soil temperatures. From a temperature of approx. 8 ° C, the polymer coating dissolves in order to start germination of the seeds that have been sown as simultaneously as possible. Such “delayed germinating” seed cannot be supplied with the previously described devices through an initial fertilization.

Similar coatings are also known for chemical fertilizers. Thus, WO 2012/074557 A1 discloses a mandrel which is “pierced” into the soil with granulated or pelleted and coated fertilizer in the immediate vicinity of the already sprouted crop for a subsequent refreshment of the fertilization. The disadvantage of this method is the additional work step required for sowing, in which the fertilizer spike is laboriously pushed into the ground by hand (as is also known from commercially available fertilizer sticks) next to the plant (tomatoes or rose bushes are mentioned here as examples). An implementation of the described fertilizer application on an industrial, large-scale agricultural scale is unthinkable. In any case, industrial, agricultural field cultivation is also developing away from the high use of chemical fertilizers and towards more environmentally friendly, biological solutions. The disadvantage of chemical fertilizers, which mainly contain nutrients for plants such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, etc., is the high salt content, which is harmful to the germination of the seed.

As a modern practice in agriculture, the addition of different (living or effective) microorganisms and / or other biostimulators to different types of crops is becoming more and more popular. Similar to the liquid fertilizer injection described above, the microorganisms and / or biostimulators have so far also been applied by means of a spray device, with the majority of the applied microorganisms and / or biostimulators remaining on the soil surface and not penetrating the soil. To the mostly not UV-resistant microorganisms and / or To protect bio-stimulators from solar radiation, further interventions are made to work them into the soil. This is associated with higher costs and not infrequently with the destruction of the expensive microorganisms and / or biostimulators. In addition, the life cycle of the microorganisms and / or biostimulators varies in length, which is why the effectiveness of the application decreases after a certain period of time. This requires a recultivation of the same field area and then possibly third or more work steps, which complicates the cultivation of the soil and increases the processing costs. Depending on the crop, it is not always possible to carry out such post-processing.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to create an improved method for the single-grain application of seeds. In particular, a more environmentally friendly and more productive cultivation of the field should be made possible without significantly increasing the costs, especially in the case of seed application and / or through subsequent work steps.

The object is achieved by a method for the single-grain application of seed according to claim 1 and by a seed capsule according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are claimed in the corresponding subclaims.

A method according to the invention of the type described in more detail at the outset is characterized in that each individual grain of the seed is assigned an optionally selectable and / or predetermined number of seed capsules, also referred to as “intelligent” capsules (in English “smart capsules”), which are adjacent to the seed capsules the assigned single grain are placed along and / or within the seed furrow, and active and / or stimulation substances comprised by the seed capsules are released to support and / or stimulate the assigned single grain. The single grain itself is not contained in the seed capsule. By using seed capsules or smart capsules, the release, in particular a time-delayed release, of the active and / or stimulation substances can be "intelligently" adapted to the particular needs of the individual grain. According to the method according to the invention, it is provided, together with the individual grains placed within the seed furrow, to add seed capsules comprising active and / or stimulating substances directly or in the immediate vicinity of the seed and to add these active and / or stimulating substances, preferably after the individual grain has been deposited and to the placement of the seed capsules, in particular to release them with a delay.

The task of the active and / or stimulatory substances contained in the seed capsule, through their release, in particular a time-delayed release, is to biologically support the single grain during germination or subsequent growth, in particular to stimulate the plant's own signal substances (phytoalexins) and thus the plant's own defense to strengthen against pests, diseases or fungal attack, etc. For the purposes of the present invention, a distinction is therefore made between so-called active and / or stimulatory substances and conventional, chemical and / or mineral fertilizers. According to the invention, so-called bio-stimulators are understood as active and / or stimulating substances. Biostimulators are well known to those skilled in the art of agriculture and are commercially available. For the most part, it is organic substances of animal or vegetable origin, such as. B. so-called effective microorganisms (aerobic or anaerobic microorganisms), amino acids (amino acids), flumanic acids (humic acids), fulvic acids (fulvic acids), algae or seaweed extracts, beneficial fungi, e.g. B. mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria (beneficial fungi and bacteria), chitin and chitosan (chitin and chitosan) but also partly to inorganic components (inorganic compounds). The following bio-stimulators, among others, are commercially available: metabolism-based fermantators (Fermentation metabolite-based “FM”), Ecklonia maxima seaweed extracts (“SE1”), plant growth regulators (“PGR”), synthetic formulas (Synthetic formula containing antioxidant properties "SF"), protein hydrolysates (protein hydrolysates "PH 1", "PFI2") Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extracts (Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract "SE2", "SE3"). Are under chemical and / or mineral fertilizers on the other hand, understood “dead” nutrient mixtures for plants that contain, for example, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, etc. and are “sprayed” in particular in liquid or atomized form.

In summary, active and / or stimulating substances serve the purpose of supporting the single grain and / or the plant by strengthening the plant's own defenses, whereas chemical and / or mineral fertilizers “feed” the single grain and / or the plant with nutrients required for growth.

In an optional embodiment of the invention, it is also conceivable that the seed capsule also contains nutrients and / or mineral / chemical fertilizers in addition or as an alternative to the active and / or stimulating substances. In particular, active and / or stimulating substances can be contained in one receiving volume and nutrients and / or mineral / chemical fertilizers in another receiving volume or a sheathing layer.

Advantageously, with the method according to the invention, in particular the devices known from the prior art for depositing single grains can be used unmodified or with only minor modifications in order to place a predetermined and desired number x of seed capsules within the seed furrow in addition to each deposited single grain.

For this, it is essential that the capsule has a shape that is suitable for spreading with such sowing units or single-grain deposits. In particular, the volume and / or weight and / or external shape of the seed capsule can correspond to the shape of the associated individual grain. Rounded shapes, such as a sphere or an ellipsoid of revolution, roughly the size of the respectively assigned individual grain are particularly suitable.

The number x of the seed capsules to be assigned to a single grain can be specified on the basis of various factors. Relevant is z. B. the (variety-dependent) need for active and / or stimulating substances of the respective Individual grains in correlation with the size of the seed capsules or their possible filling quantity with active and / or stimulating substances. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to assign two, three or more seed capsules each with different active and / or stimulatory substances, in particular microorganisms and / or biostimulators, to a single grain; alternatively, different active and / or stimulatory substances, in particular microorganisms and / or biostimulators, can also be assigned. be contained in one and the same seed capsules. If necessary, a number x = 0.5 can be specified, with a seed capsule being assigned to two individual grains. If a number x = 1 is specified, exactly one seed capsule is assigned to each individual grain, if a number x = 2 or x = 3 is specified, exactly two or exactly three seed capsules etc. corresponding to each individual grain, etc. The number of assigned seed capsules is preferably in a range between x = 0.1 and x = 10, whereby the number of seed capsules that are assigned to each individual grain is fixed for the respective sowing and is precisely adhered to during sowing.

Due to this indirect support of a single grain with active and / or stimulating substances by means of seed capsules, the active and / or stimulating substances contained, in particular effective microorganisms and / or biostimulators, can be applied together with the seed or the single grain, but released with a time delay, and so on Protect from weather conditions, UV exposure and / or mechanical stress during application / sowing. In this way, the active and / or stimulation substances protected in the seed capsules can be placed in one work step with the same means or with the same device and at the same time as the seed. In particular, the release of the active and / or stimulatory substances can be “intelligently” adapted to the prevailing needs of the single grain and / or the plant at the respective point in time, in that the active and / or stimulatory substances are released at the respective point in time with a time delay. The seed capsule according to the invention is therefore also referred to as a “smart capsule”.

A distinction must be made here in particular between "slow release" (slow release) in which ingredients are released "gradually" over a longer period of time, e.g. B. also from the pharmaceutical industry in connection with Tablets and medicaments are known and the “postphoned release” according to the invention, in which the ingredients are released for the first time and preferably “all at once” after the desired period of time has elapsed.

With the method according to the invention, the sowing and germination process of the most varied of crop plants can advantageously be optimized and performed with maximum efficiency. From an environmental point of view, this also has a reducing effect on carbon emissions, as the soil cultivation steps are reduced and the use of chemical fertilizers, fungicides and insecticides is reduced or even eliminated entirely.

In an optional embodiment of the method, it is advantageous that the seed capsule or each seed capsule has at least one receiving volume and at least one soluble and / or decomposable layer encasing the receiving volume, the encasing layer for release in particular for the delayed release of the active substances contained and / or stimulation substances are dissolved and / or decomposed.

In order to be able to efficiently protect the contained active and / or stimulation substances by the seed capsule, the latter is designed with a receiving volume, which is advantageously located inside the seed capsules and is designed for receiving the active and / or stimulating substances or with different active and / or active substances / or stimulation substances or a single stimulation substance is filled. It is conceivable that the active and / or stimulation substances are present in the receiving volume of the seed capsule in a liquid or viscous form; however, the active and / or stimulation substances or the one stimulation substance preferably have a solid state of aggregation. The receiving volume is limited or surrounded by a sheathing layer. The encasing layer is designed to be detachable and / or decomposable, so that the active and / or stimulation substances contained in the receiving volume in a protected manner are released by the encasing layer being dissolved and / or decomposed. In a further development of this method option, the at least one encasing layer of the seed capsule is water-soluble and is dissolved by contact with the surrounding soil in order to release the active and / or stimulating substances contained in the at least one receiving volume.

A comparatively simple implementation of a soluble and / or decomposable coating layer can be achieved by making the coating layer water-soluble, in particular from a water-soluble material such as starch, gelatin, etc. In this reaction, the sheathing layer dissolves and / or decomposes through contact with the surrounding soil, more precisely with the moisture content contained in the soil. Similar to the germination of the single grain, in which the highest possible seed-to-soil contact has a positive effect, it is also advantageous for the dissolution and / or decomposition of the coated layer of the seed capsule if this is as good as possible has high capsule-to-soil-contact. Optionally or alternatively, the dissolution and / or decomposition can also take place as a function of temperature factors, in particular the ambient and / or soil temperature and / or as a function of time.

It is also expedient, according to an advantageous embodiment of the method, that an optionally selectable time interval for determining a release period and / or time is specified between the placement of the seed capsules along and / or within the seed furrow and the release of the active and / or stimulating substances contained in the seed capsules .

It can be particularly advantageous to release the active and / or stimulating substances contained in the seed capsule at certain germination or growth stages of the single grain or the seedling or the cultivated plant. If, for example, active and / or stimulating substances in the form of mycorrhizal fungi are contained in the seed capsules, these should only be released for the germination of the single grain, after about two weeks, when the first fine roots have formed. This release period and / or release time can in particular be predetermined or set by the disintegration time of the seed capsule, more precisely of the encasing layer. A single grain usually germinates after about 10-14 days, which is why a useful first time interval for establishing a first release period and / or release time in a range between about 9-13 days, for the initial support of the germinating single grain, in particular with bacteria and / or Molasses, should be. An expedient second time interval could be selected in a range of approx. 14-21 days in order to supply the roots of the single grain that has already germinated, in particular with mycorrhizal fungi, and thus to support further growth. After a third time interval has elapsed, it is conceivable to supply the initially released bacteria with nutrients, in particular molasses, and to increase their activity.

In the method configuration described above, it is particularly useful if the time interval between the placement of the seed capsules and the release of the active and / or stimulating substances, i.e. the disintegration time of the seed capsule, is specified via the solubility and / or the layer thickness of the encasing layer.

The optionally selectable time interval is preferably specified on the basis of the dissolution and / or decomposition conditions for the seed capsule, i. H. the time interval is set on the basis of the time elapsed from the placement, in particular on the basis of the layer thickness and / or on the basis of the moisture, in particular soil moisture and / or on the basis of the temperature, in particular soil temperature.

It is of course also conceivable that different disintegration times are set for different seed capsules, each containing different and / or identical active and / or stimulating substances, or a different time interval is specified between the placement of the seed capsules and the release of the active and / or stimulating substances .

If, in a specific example, a certain microorganism can provide optimal support for the single grain or the seedling over a period of 14 to 21 days, a number of three seed capsules could be used, for example assigned to a single grain and placed together with it. The seed capsules each contain the same stimulation substance, but are designed with different disintegration times. In this way, three time intervals can be specified with an interval of approx. 15 days each (e.g. 30 days, 45 days and 60 days), within which the seed capsules are successively dissolved and / or decomposed. Depending on the crop, a high percentage of its vegetative cycle can be supplied in this way with useful microorganisms and / or biostimulators, the viable activity of which takes place parallel to the growth or vegetation of the crop. In other words, the active and / or stimulating substances, in particular microorganisms and / or biostimulators, are always released when there is a high demand due to germination and / or a growth phase, etc. Optimal support of the single grain and / or the seedling or the cultivated plant with partly symbiotic microorganisms and / or biostimulators can increase their natural resistance to pests such as insects or fungal attack, which in turn saves a considerable amount of insecticides or fungicides can.

Optionally, according to an optional embodiment of the method, a seed capsule can also have at least two receiving volumes and at least two soluble and / or decomposable, in particular water-soluble, layers encasing a respective receiving volume, the encasing layers for the release, in particular for the delayed release, of the active contained and / or stimulation substances are dissolved and / or decomposed at release periods and / or release times that differ from one another, in particular through contact with the surrounding soil. That is, different receiving volumes can comprise different active and / or stimulating substances, which are released by an interval, ie successive dissolution and / or decomposition of the respective enveloping layers at different release periods and / or release times. In the case of a water-soluble, yourself By means of a covering layer that dissolves and / or decomposes in contact with the ground, it is possible, for example, to take advantage of the fact that initially only the outermost covering layer is in contact with the ground. Only after the outermost enveloping layer has dissolved and the active and / or stimulation substances surrounded by it have been released does an underlying enveloping layer come into contact with the surrounding soil, so that the active and / or stimulation substances contained within this underlying enveloping layer come into contact a subsequent release period and / or release time, ie after a longer time interval

For the placement of the seed capsules, in particular also with regard to the sowing unit used for this purpose, it is provided according to a variant of the method that the seed capsules are placed by means of the sowing element along and / or within the seed furrow essentially at the same time as the assigned individual grain, with the seed capsules and the assigned single grain are arranged in the immediate vicinity of one another, and in particular touching one another.

Alternatively, however, according to another variant of the method, it is also conceivable that the seed capsules are placed or deposited with a time offset in relation to the assigned single grain by means of the sowing element along and / or within the seed furrow, the seed capsules and the assigned single grain in the immediate vicinity and are arranged at a distance from one another, and which distance is specified on the basis of the time offset.

For example, by modifying known sowing units, it can be provided for a method configuration that the sowing element has at least one first metering device for placing the seed capsules and at least one second metering device for depositing the assigned single grain, the seed capsules and the assigned single grain along and / or via a common single grain deposit placed or deposited within the seed furrow. With this modification, it is advisable to feed the seed capsules and the assigned single grains synchronously, but with a slight time offset, to the common single grain depository in order to prevent them from blocking each other within the channel and / or the line of the single grain depository.

Alternatively, in a variation of the method according to the invention, the seeding element can have a common metering device for placing the seed capsules and for depositing the assigned single grain, by means of which both the seed capsules and the seeds are separated, and the seed capsules and the assigned single grain along the single grain deposit and / or placed inside the seed furrow.

The object of the invention set out at the beginning is also achieved by a seed capsule, suitable for placing individual grains by means of an agricultural sowing unit with at least one sowing element, in particular according to a method described above.

According to the invention, such a seed capsule is characterized in that the seed capsule has at least one receiving volume containing one or more different active and / or stimulating substances and at least one soluble and / or decomposable layer encasing the receiving volume, the encasing layer for release, in particular for a delayed release Release, the contained active and / or stimulating substances can be dissolved and / or decomposed.

So that the seed capsule can be applied with conventional sowing units using the single-grain method, it is essential that the seed capsule has a shape that is suitable for application with such sowing units or single-grain deposits. In particular, the volume and / or weight and / or external shape of the seed capsule can correspond to the shape of the associated individual grain. Rounded shapes, such as a sphere or an ellipsoid of revolution, roughly the size of the respectively assigned individual grain are particularly suitable. The seed capsule can preferably also be small, in particular smaller than a single grain, with a single encasing layer and a single receiving volume, the one receiving volume also including different active and / or stimulating substances, e.g. in dry and / or solid form as powder and / or May contain granules. Such small seed capsules are particularly useful for the single grain application of smaller seeds, e.g. B. rye or wheat are suitable.

Another, alternative embodiment of the seed capsule provides that it is “pressed” in the form of a pellet. In this form, v. a. less sensitive (non-living) biostimulators such as fulvic acids and / or algae or seaweed extracts are used. In this form, it is also possible to make the seed capsule with a very small size and so even with a non-single grain sowing of z. B. to add rye or wheat to the seeds in the desired ratio.

In an optional embodiment, the seed capsule can also have liquid-absorbing and / or liquid-storing substances, such as water-absorbing polymers, talc or talc, bentonites, starch, etc. As a result, moisture can be kept in the seed capsule, as a result of which the environmental parameters present in the interior of the seed capsule can be optimized for the active and / or stimulating substances contained, in particular microorganisms. In order to release in particular different active and / or stimulation substances at intervals one after the other, ie at different release times and / or release periods, an advantageous embodiment of the seed capsule has at least two receiving volumes, each containing one or more different active and / or stimulating substances, and at least two soluble and / or decomposable layers encasing a respective receiving volume, the encasing layers and the respective receiving volumes for releasing, in particular for the time-delayed release, of the active and / or stimulating substances contained at release periods and / or deviating from one another Release times are arranged starting from the center of the seed capsule encasing each other.

Starting approximately from the center of the preferably spherical or ellipsoidal seed capsule, several receiving volumes and encasing layers can extend radially outward. Appropriately, in the area of the center point of the seed capsule, there is a first or innermost receiving volume which is surrounded by a first encasing layer. A second receiving volume can be arranged surrounding the first encasing layer, which in turn is surrounded by a second, in particular an outermost encasing layer. In principle, it is conceivable to provide any number of further receiving volumes and encasing layers in between, a number of receiving volumes and encasing layers in a range between 1 and 3 having proven to be expedient.

In an advantageous embodiment, the active and / or stimulating substances contained in the at least one intake volume have biostimulators, in particular effective microorganisms and / or amino acids and / or human acids and / or fulvic acids and / or algae or seaweed extracts and / or beneficial fungi and / or Mycorrhizal fungi and / or beneficial bacteria and / or chitin and / or inorganic components and / or molasses.

For example, the pH value of the soil can be adjusted by means of the bacteria, the mycorrhizal fungi enter into a symbiosis with the roots of the seedling, humus and / or molasses can, for example, serve as a breeding ground for the bacteria and / or microorganisms and / or fungi.

Finally, according to a seed capsule variant, it is also advantageous that the at least one enveloping layer is soluble and / or decomposable, in particular water-soluble, and a carbonaceous material and / or a gel structure and / or a starchy material and / or biodegradable plastics, in particular polymers and / or a gelatin-containing material. Further details, features, (sub) combinations of features, advantages and effects based on the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention and the drawings. These show in

1 shows a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary variant of the method according to the invention,

2 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of the seed capsule according to the invention with a sheathing layer and a receiving volume,

3 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of the seed capsule according to the invention with two encasing layers and two receiving volumes,

4 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a first exemplary modification of one known from the prior art

Sowing elements for carrying out the method according to the invention,

5 shows a schematic plan view, a second exemplary one

Modification of a sowing element known from the prior art for carrying out the method according to the invention, FIG. 6 a schematic perspective illustration of a third exemplary modification of one known from the prior art

Sowing elements for carrying out the method according to the invention and in

7 shows a schematic perspective illustration of a fourth exemplary modification of one known from the prior art

Sowing elements for carrying out the method according to the invention.

In the figures, the same elements are always provided with the same reference symbols, which is why they are usually only described once. According to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment variant of the method according to the invention for the single-grain application of seed is illustrated with the aid of a schematic flow diagram, the following method steps being included:

(A) Assignment of seed pods 100 to a single grain 320,

(B) depositing the single grain 320 within and / or along a prepared seed furrow 310,

(C) placing the seed capsules 100 assigned to the single grain 320 within and / or along the prepared seed furrow 310,

(D) Release of active and / or stimulation substances 140 from the assigned seed capsules 100.

Parameters to be specified and / or adjustable for the respective method steps are shown in FIG. 1 by means of arrows and include: x: the number of seed capsules 100 assigned to each individual grain 320, h: the first distance by which adjacent individual grains 320 are spaced from one another be deposited within and / or along the seed furrow 310, the second distance by which the seed capsules 100 to the assigned

Single grain 320 are placed at a distance, ti: the first time interval between the placement of the seed capsules 100 and the first release time and / or release period zi of active and / or stimulating substances 140, 2 the second time interval between the placement of the seed capsules 100 and the first release time and / or release period Z2 of active and / or stimulating substances 140. As described at the beginning, the prior art discloses a number of devices for depositing seed by single grain (step B) within and / or along a seed furrow 310. In this case, the seed is first separated, and the individual grains 320 are then separated at a predeterminable distance h from one another within and / or along a seed furrow 310 filed. The distance h to be maintained between the individual grains 320 is based on the so-called Sänorm, which is specified by a farmer or agronomist and is set firmly on the sowing device or the sowing unit before the seed is spread. Usually, the standard specifies the number of individual grains to be applied per field area, depending on the number of sowing devices or sowing units running parallel to one another in several rows, the distance to be set then results. In the case of mechanical sowing units, the pulling speed at which the sowing unit is pulled must also be taken into account. Alternatively, during the spreading of the individual grains 320, the distance h can be automatically readjusted as a function of the pulling speed at which the sowing unit is pulled and / or via rotation or running speeds by metering devices 210.

According to the exemplary variant of the invention shown in FIG. 1, a predetermined number x of seed capsules 100 is assigned to each individual grain 320 in step (A), preferably before it is deposited in the seed furrow 310. The number x can be z. B. set by using further metering devices 210 and / or equipping them with single grains 320 or seed capsules 100 and can be freely selected if necessary. The number x to be set can take into account different factors, including whether or how many different active and / or stimulation substances 140 are to be used and whether these are to be used at different release periods and / or release times Z2 should be released. For example, it is expedient to assign a seed capsule 100 to each individual grain 320 per stimulation substance 140 and per release period and / or release time zi, Z2, the number x of seed capsules 100 assigned to each individual grain 320 then being the total number of release periods and / or release times zi, Z2 and Active and / or stimulation substances 140 corresponds.

Steps (B), depositing the single grain 320 and (C), placing the seed capsule 100, can be carried out simultaneously or with a time offset from one another. In that, for example, the seed capsules 100 are placed by a predetermined time offset after the single grain 320 has been deposited, a Corresponding correlating distance between the single grain 320 and the assigned seed capsules 100 can be set.

According to step (D), active and / or stimulating substances 140 contained in the seed capsules 100 can be used at different release periods and / or release times Z2 can be released in that corresponding time intervals ti, t2 between the placement of the seed capsules 100 and the release of the active and / or stimulation substances 140 are specified. The time intervals ti, t2 are preferably set via different disintegration times of assigned seed capsules 100, in particular by defining the layer thickness of a sheathing layer 120 and / or its solubility. Alternatively, an intermittent release according to time intervals ti, t2 that deviate from one another can also be set by a single seed capsule 100 with several enveloping layers 120, with the enveloping layers 120 for the release of active and / or stimulating substances 140 contained in between, one after the other, starting with the outermost one Allow layer 120 to dissolve and / or decompose.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, exemplary embodiments of a seed capsule 100 according to the invention are shown schematically in a sectional view. The seed capsule 100 has an essentially ellipsoidal shape with a center point 130. In the area of the center point 130, a first or innermost receiving volume 110, 111 is provided, in which one or more active and / or stimulation substances 140 to be released are contained. Active and / or stimulating substances 140 are preferably biostimulators, in particular effective microorganisms, fungi, mycorrhizal fungi or bacteria, but also other biological plant additives, such as humus or amino acids, etc., which are in liquid or viscous or preferably solid form in the receiving volume 110, 111 are included. The receiving volume 110, 111 is surrounded by a first or innermost encasing layer 120, 121, preferably completely. The first encasing layer 120, 121 is soluble and / or decomposable, in particular water-soluble, and dissolves, for example, through contact with the surrounding soil 300 or the moisture contained therein after a predeterminable time interval ti, t2 has elapsed. The predefinable time interval ti, t2 can be set, for example, by the layer thickness and / or the solubility of the first encasing layer 120, 121.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, in an alternative embodiment, the seed capsule 100 comprises a second receiving volume 110, 112, which surrounds the first encasing layer 120, 121, preferably completely, and contains one or more active and / or stimulating substances 140 to be released. The active and / or stimulation substances 140 contained in the respective receiving volume 110, 111, 112 and to be released can optionally be the same stimulation substance 140 or an identical mixture of active and / or stimulation substances 140 or different active substances - and / or stimulation substances 140 or different mixtures of active and / or stimulation substances 140 act. For example, a stimulating substance 140, such as microorganisms, can be contained in the first receiving volume 110, 111 and either the same stimulating substance 140 (microorganisms and / or biostimulators) or a different one in the second receiving volume 110, 112

Stimulant 140, such as mycorrhizal fungi, may be included. It is also conceivable that the first receiving volume 110, 111 contains a mixture of active and / or stimulating substances 140, such as different microorganisms and / or biostimulators, and the second receiving volume 110, 111 either contains the same mixture of active and / or stimulating substances 140 or a different mixture of active and / or stimulation substances 140, such as different, preferably symbiotic types of fungus, may be included. The second receiving volume 110, 112 is, in turn, preferably completely surrounded by a second or outermost encasing layer 120, 122. On the basis of the respective layer thicknesses of the encasing layers 120, 121, 122 and / or the receiving volumes 110, 112 lying in between, desired time intervals t 1, t 2 up to the release of the corresponding active and / or stimulation substances 140 can be set. In particular, via the layer thickness and / or the solubility of the second, outermost encasing layer 120, 122, a second time interval t2 up to the release of the active and / or stimulation substances 140 contained in the second receiving volume 110, 112 can be specified. Correspondingly, the layer thickness and / or the solubility of the second encasing layer 120, 122, the second receiving volume 110, 112 and the first encasing layer 120, 121, a first time interval ti until the release of the active and / or stimulating substances 140 contained in the first receiving volume 110, 111 can be specified.

The inventive concept also includes modifying sowing elements 200 known from the prior art for carrying out the method according to the invention. A schematic perspective illustration of a first exemplary modification of a sowing element 200 known from the prior art for carrying out the method according to the invention can therefore be seen from FIG. The sowing element 200 comprises a first metering device 211, here designed as a chambered sowing disc, and a single-grain deposit 220, here designed as a sowing tube. Seed is supplied to the first metering device 211 via a seed reservoir (not shown here), a single grain 320 being received in each case by a chamber 213 of the first metering device 211. Via the first metering device 211 rotating here, the individual grains 320 received in the respective chambers 213 are successively fed to a first or upper end 221 of the individual grain deposit 220 at regular time intervals. The second or lower end 222 of the single grain deposit 220 opens into a seed furrow 310 which is drawn into the soil 300. By pulling the sowing element 200 by an agricultural tractor along a pulling direction y, the individual grains 320 can be deposited at a first distance h from one another within and along the seed furrow 310 via the second end 222 of the individual grain deposit 220. The first distance h can be set by means of the pulling speed of the agricultural tractor and / or the rotational speed of the first metering device 211. In terms of the invention and for carrying out the method according to the invention, the device known from the prior art is modified by providing a second metering device 212, which is also designed here as a rotating sowing disc. The second metering device 212 is preferably carried along by a seed capsule reservoir (not shown here) in a corresponding manner 100 seed capsules are filled. The second metering device 212 is also connected to the upper end 221 of the single grain depository 220 via a connecting piece 230. According to a preferred variant of the method, the first metering device 211 and the second metering device 212 are switched synchronously with each other so that exactly one seed capsule 100 and exactly one single grain 320 are fed to the first end 221 of the single grain deposit 220 at the same time and are adjacent to and touching one another via the second end 222 be deposited within the seed furrow 310. Alternatively, the first metering device 211 and the second metering device 212 can be switched synchronously to one another with an offset with respect to the direction of rotation, so that the single grain 320 and the seed capsule 100 are fed with a corresponding temporal offset via the connecting piece 230 to the first end 221 of the single grain deposit 220. In this way, a desired, second distance (not shown here) between the single grain 320 and the seed capsule 100 can be set. Instead of a second metering device 212, it is also conceivable to make the first metering device 211 axially wider and to subdivide its chambers 213 axially into a first area for receiving the single grain 320 and a second area for receiving the seed capsule 100. In this way, single grain 320 and seed capsule 100 can be fed with the same metering device 210 along two adjacent channels of the connecting piece 230 of the single grain depository 200, which ensures synchronous deposition and a synchronous switching of several metering devices 210 is not necessary. It is also conceivable to arrange respective chambers 213 of a metering device 210 for receiving a single grain 320 or a seed capsule 100 at different radii of the metering device 210 designed as a seeding disc. In this way, the single grain 320 and the one or more assigned seed capsules 100 can be fed to channel openings of the connecting piece 230 which are arranged synchronously above or below one another.

A setting of the number x (here: x = 1) of seed capsules 100, which are assigned to the respective individual grain 320, can be made, for example, by different rotation speeds and / or diameters that differ from one another and / or the respective number of chambers 213 of the first metering device 211 and the second metering device 212 and / or by filling the chambers 213 with seed capsules 100 (for example two or more seed capsules 100 per chamber 213, corresponds to x = 2 or more, or only the filling of every second chamber 213 with a seed capsule 100 corresponds , x = 0.5).

A similar sowing element 200, also known from the prior art, for carrying out the method according to the invention is shown in FIG. 5 in a schematic plan view and corresponds in its essential structure to the previously described first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4. The sowing element 200 comprises a single-grain deposit 220 , the second end 222 of which opens between two disks 214 rolling on the ground 300 and provided for forming the seed furrow 310. Individual grains 320 as well as seed capsules 100 can be deposited or placed with a desired, set, first distance h within and along the seed furrow 310 via the single grain deposit 220. The setting of the process variables or parameters x, takes place as described above.

A third exemplary modification of a sowing element 200 known from the prior art can be seen in FIG. 6 and, in its essential structure, corresponds to the embodiments described above. The single grain deposit 220 is here provided with a circumferential belt 215, which rotates chambers 213 for receiving the single grain 320 between the first end 221 and the second end 222 of the single grain deposit 220. At the first end 221, the chambers 213 can be equipped with individual grains 320 by a first metering device 211 (not shown here). The revolving belt 215 moves the equipped chambers 213 to the second end 222 of the single grain deposit 220, which in turn opens into the seed furrow 310 for placing the single grains 320. To carry out the method according to the invention, a chamber 213 containing a single grain 320 can additionally be equipped with one or more seed capsules 100, for example by means of a second metering device 212, also not shown here. In order to place the single grain 320 and the assigned seed capsules 100 at a second distance (not shown here) from one another within the seed furrow 310, it is of course also conceivable to use the For example, chambers 213 can be alternately equipped with a single grain 320 and one or more seed capsules 100.

According to a fourth exemplary embodiment, as shown schematically and in perspective in FIG. 7, the single grain deposit 220 shown here of a sowing element 200 known from the prior art is flexible and hose-like and runs in front of a closing wheel 216. In order to apply a single grain 320 and one or more assigned seed capsules 100 offset in time or to place them at a distance from one another, a single grain 320 and an assigned seed capsule 100 can be fed to the first end 221 of the single grain deposit 220 in chronological order. Alternatively, the single grain 320 and the assigned seed capsule 100 can be fed in at the same time, the distance I2 between the two being guaranteed by the different mass and the corresponding falling speed caused by the gravitational force. In the illustration according to FIG. 7, a second distance I2 is also shown between the single grain 320 deposited in the seed furrow 310 and an associated seed capsule 100, which can be adjusted by the time-shifted loading of the single grain deposit 200. The distance I2 should preferably not exceed a length of 5 cm and particularly preferably be in a range between 1 cm and 3 cm

List of reference symbols

100 seed capsule 110 intake volume 1 1 1 first intake volume

112 second receiving volume 120 encasing layer 121 first encasing layer 122 second encasing layer 130 center of the seed capsule

140 stimulant

200 sowing element 210 metering device 211 first metering device

212 second metering device

213 chamber

214 rolling disc

215 circumferential belt 216 locking wheel

220 single grain deposit

221 first end of the single grain deposit

222 second end of the single grain deposit

300 floor

310 seed furrow

320 single grain h first distance second distance ti first time interval t2 second time interval

X number y direction of pull

Z1 first release period and / or release time Z2 second release period and / or release time

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A method for the single-grain application of seed by means of an agricultural sowing unit with at least one sowing element (200), which sowing element (200) has a metering device (210) for the single-grain placement of the seed along and / or within a seed furrow (310) arranged in the ground (300) , 211, 212) and a single grain depository (220), wherein

- in each case a single grain (320) of the seed is deposited along and / or within the seed furrow (310) at a first distance (h) that can be selected and / or adjusted as required from the respective adjacent individual grains (320), characterized in that

- each individual grain (320) of the seed is assigned a number (x) of seed capsules (100) that can be selected and / or specified as required,

- The seed capsules (100) are placed adjacent to the associated single grain (320) along and / or within the seed furrow (310), and

- Active and / or stimulating substances (140) comprised by the seed capsules (100) are released to support and / or stimulate the associated single grain (320).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the seed capsule (100) has at least one receiving volume (110, 111, 112) and at least one soluble and / or decomposable and the receiving volume

(110, 111, 112) encasing layer (120, 121, 122), the encasing layer (120, 121, 122) being dissolved and released for the release, in particular for the time-delayed release, of the active and / or stimulating substances (140) contained / or is decomposed.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one sheathing layer (120, 121, 122) of the seed capsule (100) is water-soluble and for releasing the in at least one Receiving volume (110, 111, 112) contained active and / or

Stimulation substances (140) is dissolved by contact with the surrounding soil (300).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the placement of the seed capsules (100) along and / or within the seed furrow (310) and the release of the active and / or stimulation substances (140) comprised by the seed capsules (100) ) an if necessary selectable time interval (ti, t2) for determining a release period and / or point in time fa, 2.7) is specified.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the time interval (ti, t2) between the placement of the seed capsules (100) and the release of the active and / or stimulation substances (140) on the solubility and / or the layer thickness of the coating layer (120, 121, 122) is given.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seed capsule (100) at least two receiving volumes (110, 111, 112) and at least two soluble and / or decomposable, in particular water-soluble, and a respective receiving volume (110, 111, 112 ) has encasing layers (120, 121, 122), the encasing layers (120, 121, 122) for releasing, in particular for the time-delayed release, of the active and / or stimulating substances (140) contained at release periods and / or release times that differ from one another (zi, Z2), in particular through contact with the surrounding soil (300), are dissolved and / or decomposed.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seed capsules (100) are placed essentially simultaneously with the assigned single grain (320) by means of the sowing element (200) along and / or within the seed furrow (310), the seed capsules (100) and the assigned single grain (320) in the immediate vicinity to each other, and in particular touching each other, are arranged.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the seed capsules (100) are placed with a time offset with respect to the assigned single grain (320) by means of the sowing element (200) along and / or within the seed furrow (310) or are deposited, the seed capsules (100) and the associated single grain (320) being arranged in the immediate vicinity and at a second distance () from one another, which distance (I2) is specified on the basis of the time offset.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sowing element (200) has at least one first metering device (211) for placing the seed capsules (100) and at least one second metering device (212) for depositing the associated single grain (320), and wherein the seed capsules (100) and the assigned single grain (320) are placed or deposited via a common single grain deposit (200) along and / or within the seed furrow (310).

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sowing element (200) for placing the seed capsules (100) and for depositing the associated single grain (320) has a common metering device (210, 211, 212) by means of which Both the seed capsules (100) and the seed are separated, and the seed capsules (100) and the associated single grain (320) are placed over the single grain deposit (200) along and / or within the seed furrow (310).

11. Seed capsule (100), suitable for placing single grains by means of an agricultural sowing unit with at least one sowing element (200), in particular according to a method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seed capsule (100) has at least one active and / or stimulating substance (140) containing receiving volume (110, 111, 112) and at least one soluble and / or decomposable layer (120, 121, 122) encasing the receiving volume (110, 111, 112), the encasing layer (120, 121, 122) for release, especially for delayed release

Release, the contained active and / or stimulating substances (140) can be dissolved and / or decomposed.

12. seed capsule (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the seed capsule (100) at least two active and / or stimulation substances (140) containing receiving volumes (110, 111, 112) and at least two soluble and / or decomposable and a respective one Comprising layers (120, 121, 122) encasing receiving volumes (110, 111, 112), the encasing layers (120, 121, 122) and the respective receiving volumes (110, 111,

112) for the release, in particular for the delayed release, of the contained active and / or stimulation substances (140) at different release periods and / or release _{times f} a Z2) starting from the center of the seed capsule (100) are arranged encasing one another.

13. Seed capsule (100) according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the active and / or stimulating substances (140) contained in the at least one receiving volume (110, 111, 112) have biostimulators, in particular effective microorganisms and / or Amino acids and / or flumanic acids and / or fulvic acids and / or algae or seaweed extracts and / or beneficial fungi and / or mycorrhizal fungi and / or having beneficial bacteria and / or chitin and / or inorganic components and / or molasses.

14. Seed capsule (100) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the at least one encasing layer (120, 121, 122) is soluble and / or decomposable, in particular water-soluble, and is a carbon-containing material and / or a gel structure and / or a material containing starch and / or biodegradable plastics, in particular polymers and / or a material containing gelatin.