DLG (German Agricultural Society) has released a new free publication titled “Single-seed sowing of cereals” as part of its well-established Expert Knowledge Series. Known for delivering concise and practical technical insights, the series is designed to support farmers and agricultural professionals with independent, evidence-based information on current farming practices.
This latest edition focuses on the agronomic and technological potential of single-seed sowing in cereals, further expanding DLG’s extensive portfolio of knowledge resources aimed at advancing innovation and practical expertise in agriculture.
A Collaborative, Expert-Driven Approach
The publication was developed by the DLG Technical Committee “Soil Cultivation and Sowing Technology,” a multidisciplinary group composed of farmers, researchers, industry representatives, and advisory experts. This collaborative structure ensures that the content reflects real-world farming conditions while remaining scientifically sound.
According to Prof. Dr. Till Meinel, Vice President of DLG and a member of the committee, the strength of the publication lies in this diversity of expertise:
“Our working group brings together practical field knowledge, academic research, industry solutions and advisory expertise. This allows us to present a realistic and technically sound assessment of single-seed sowing in cereals, while offering farmers a reliable basis for their decisions.”
Precision Sowing: Opportunities and Benefits
At the core of the publication is the comparison between conventional drill sowing and single-seed sowing systems. While traditional methods distribute seeds randomly within rows, precision systems place each seed at a defined spacing and depth.
Research findings and field experiences highlighted in the document suggest that, under suitable conditions, single-seed sowing can deliver several agronomic advantages:
- More uniform crop establishment
- Improved plant spacing and resource use
- Better soil aeration
- Potential reductions in disease pressure
- Modest yield improvements
Farmers using precision sowing technologies have also reported increased crop resilience, particularly during dry spring periods—an increasingly important factor under changing climate conditions.
