METHODS FOR SPREADING SEED AS SINGLE GRAINS TOGETHER WITH A SEED CAPSULE, AND SEED CAPSULE

Abstract

A method for single-grain application of seed by means of an agricultural sowing unit with at least one sowing element (200), which has a metering device (210) and a single grain-laying device (220), for the single-grain depositing of the seed along or within a seed furrow (310) arranged in the soil (300). A single grain (320) of seed is deposited along or within the seed furrow (310), adjacent to individual grains (320) of seed at a distance (l.sub.1) that can be selected or adjusted as required. A selectable or predetermined number (x) of seed capsules (100) is assigned to each single grain (320) of seed, whereby the seed capsules (100) are placed adjacent to the assigned single grain (320) along or within the seed furrow (310), and the active or stimulating substances (140) contained in the seed capsules (100) are released to support the associated single grain (320).

Claims

1. A method for single-grain application of seed by means of an agricultural sowing unit with at least one sowing element (200), the sowing element (200) having a metering device (210, 211, 212) for the single-grain placement of the seed along or within a seed furrow (310) arranged in the soil (300) and a single grain laying device (220), wherein in each case a single grain (320) of the seed is deposited along or within the seed furrow (310), adjacent to other individual seed grains (320) at a first distance (l.sub.1) that can be selected or adjusted as required, characterized in that to each single grain (320) of the seed is assigned a number (x) of seed capsules (100) that can be selected or specified as required, the seed capsules (100) are placed adjacent to the assigned single grain (320) along or within the seed furrow (310), and active or stimulating substances (140) contained in the seed capsules (100) are released to support 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 or decomposable layer (120, 121, 122) encasing the receiving volume (110, 111, 122) the encasing layer (120, 121, 122) is being dissolved and/or decomposed for the release of the active or stimulating substances (140) contained therein.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one encasing layer (120, 121, 122) of the seed capsule (100) is water-soluble and is dissolved through contact with the surrounding soil (300) for releasing the active or stimulating substances (140) contained in the at least one receiving volume (110, 111, 112).

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that between the placement of the seed capsules (100) along or within the seed furrow (310) and the release of the active or stimulation substances (140) contained in the seed capsules (100), an optionally selectable time interval (t.sub.1, t.sub.2) for establishing a release period or time (z.sub.1, z.sub.2) is specified.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the time interval (t.sub.1, t.sub.2) between the placement of the seed capsules (100) and the release of the active or stimulating substances (140) is specified via the solubility or the layer thickness of the encasing layer (120, 121, 122).

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the seed capsule (100) has at least two receiving volumes (110, 111, 112) and at least two soluble or decomposable layers (120, 121, 122) encasing a respective receiving volume (110, 111, 112), wherein the encasing layers (120, 121, 122) for releasing of the contained active or stimulating substances (140), are dissolved or decomposed through contact with the surrounding soil (300).

7. The method according to claim 1, 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 or within the seed furrow (310), whereby the seed capsules (100) and the assigned single grain (320) are arranged in the immediate vicinity to each other.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the seed capsules (100) are placed or deposited with a time offset in relation to the assigned single grain (320) by means of the sowing element (200) along or within the seed furrow (310), whereby the seed capsules (100) and the assigned single grain (320) are arranged in the immediate vicinity and at a second distance (l.sub.2) from one another, which second distance (l.sub.2) is specified on the basis of the time offset.

9. The method according to claim 1, 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 assigned single grain (320), and wherein the seed capsules (100) and the assigned single grain (320) are placed or deposited via a common single-grain laying device (220) along or within the seed furrow (310).

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sowing element (200) has a common metering device (210, 211, 212) for placing the seed capsules (100) and for depositing the associated single grain (320), by means of which both the seed capsules (100) and the seeds are separated, and wherein the seed capsules (100) and the associated single grain (320) are placed over the single grain laying device (220) along or within the seed furrow (310).

11. Seed A seed capsule (100), suitable for single grain placement by means of an agricultural sowing unit with at least one sowing element (200), characterized in that the seed capsule (100) consists of at least of one receiving volume (110, 111, 112) containing active or stimulating substances (140) and of at least one soluble or decomposable encasing layer (120, 121, 122) enveloping the receiving volume (110, 111, 112), whereby the encasing layer (120, 121, 122) is dissolvable or decomposable for releasing of the active or stimulating substances (140) contained therein.

12. Seed A seed capsule (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the seed capsule (100) consists of at least two active or stimulating substances (140) containing receiving volumes (110, 111, 112) and of least two soluble or decomposable layers (120, 121, 122) encasing a respective receiving volume (110, 111, 112), whereby the encasing layers (120, 121, 122) and the respective receiving volumes (110, 111, 112) for releasing of the contained active or stimulating substances (140) at release periods or release times (z.sub.1, z.sub.2) that differ from one another, are arranged encasing one another starting from the center point of the seed capsule (100).

13. Seed A seed capsule (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the active or stimulatory substances (140) contained in the at least one receiving volume (110, 111, 112) have at least one bio-stimulator.

14. A seed capsule (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one encasing layer (120, 121, 122) is soluble or decomposable, and is a carbonaceous material or a gel structure or a starchy material or biodegradable plastics.

15. A seed capsule according to claim 13 wherein the at least one bio-stimulator is a bio-stimulator selected from the group consisting of effective microorganisms, amino acids, humic acids, fulvic acids, algae, seaweed extracts, beneficial fungi, mycorrhizal fungi, beneficial bacteria, chitin, inorganic components and molasses

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] 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.

[0058] These, show in

[0059] FIG. 1 a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary variant of the method according to the invention,

[0060] FIG. 2 a schematic sectional illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of the seed capsule according to the invention with an encasing layer and a receiving volume,

[0061] FIG. 3 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,

[0062] FIG. 4 a schematic perspective illustration of a first exemplary modification of a sowing element known from the prior art for carrying out the method according to the invention,

[0063] FIG. 5 a schematic plan view of a second exemplary modification of a sowing element known from the prior art for carrying out the method according to the invention,

[0064] FIG. 6 a schematic perspective illustration of a third exemplary modification of a sowing element known from the prior art for carrying out the method according to the invention and

[0065] FIG. 7 a schematic perspective illustration of a fourth exemplary modification of a sowing element known from the prior art for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0066] In the images, the same elements are always provided with the same reference numerals, which is why they are usually only described once.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] 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, whereby the following method steps are being included:

[0068] (A) Assigning seed capsules 100 to a single grain 320,

[0069] (B) Depositing the single grain 320 within and/or along a prepared seed furrow 310,

[0070] (C) Placing the seed capsules 100 assigned to the single grain 320 within and/or along the prepared seed furrow 310,

[0071] (D) Release of active and/or stimulation substances 140 from the assigned seed capsules 100.

[0072] Parameters to be specified and/or adjustable for the respective process steps are shown in FIG. 1 by means of arrows and include:

[0073] x: the number of seed capsules 100 assigned to each individual grain 320,

[0074] l.sub.1: the first distance by which adjacent individual grains 320 are deposited within and/or along the seed furrow 310 at a distance from one another,

[0075] l.sub.2: the second distance by which the seed capsules 100 are placed at a distance from the assigned single grain 320,

[0076] t.sub.1: the first time interval between the placement of the seed capsules 100 and the first release time and/or release period z.sub.1 of active and/or stimulation substances 140,

[0077] t.sub.2: the second time interval between the placement of the seed capsules 100 and the first release time and/or release period z.sub.2 of active and/or stimulatory substances 140.

[0078] 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 deposited at a predeterminable distance l.sub.1 from one another within and/or along a seed furrow 310. The distance l.sub.1 to be maintained between the individual grains 320 is based on the so-called seed application standard, which is specified by a farmer or agronomist and is firmly set on the sowing device or the sowing unit before the seeds are spread. Usually, the standard specifies the number of individual grains to be applied per field area and, depending on the number of sowing devices or sowing units running parallel to one another in several rows, the distance to be set can be calculated. With 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 l.sub.1 can be automatically readjusted as a function of the pulling speed at which the sowing unit is pulled and/or via the rotation or running speeds of metering devices 210.

[0079] According to the exemplary variant of the invention shown in FIG. 1, in step (A) to each individual grain 320, preferably before it is deposited in the seed furrow 310, is assigned a predetermined number x of seed capsules 100. The number x can be predetermined, for example, via the use of further metering devices 210 and/or their equipping with single grains 320 or seed capsules 100 and can be freely selected if necessary.

[0080] 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 released at different release periods and/or release times z.sub.1, z.sub.2. For example, it is useful to assign a seed capsule 100 to each individual grain 320 per stimulation substance 140 and per release period and/or release time z.sub.1, z.sub.2, so the number x of seed capsules 100 assigned to each individual grain 320 then corresponds to the total number of release periods and/or release times z.sub.1, z.sub.2 and active and/or stimulation substances 140.

[0081] 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. By, for example, placing the seed capsules 100 by a predetermined time offset after the single grain 320 has been deposited; a correspondingly correlating distance l.sub.2 between the single grain 320 and the assigned seed capsules 100 can be set.

[0082] According to step (D), active and/or stimulating substances 140 contained in the seed capsules 100 can be released at different release periods and/or release times z.sub.1, z.sub.2 by setting corresponding time intervals t.sub.1, t.sub.2 between the placement of the seed capsules 100 and the release of the active and/or stimulation substances 140. The time intervals t.sub.1, t.sub.2 are preferably set via different disintegration times of assigned the seed capsules 100, in particular by defining the layer thickness of an encasing layer 120 and/or its solubility. Alternatively, an interval release according to time intervals t.sub.1, t.sub.2 deviating from one another can also be set by a single seed capsule 100 with several encasing layers 120, where the encasing layers 120 are dissolved and/or decomposed successively for the release of active and/or stimulating substances 140 contained in between, starting with the outermost one layer 120.

[0083] 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 included in liquid or viscous or preferably solid form in the intake volume 110, 111. The receiving volume 110, 111 is surrounded, preferably completely, by a first or innermost encasing layer 120, 121. The first encasing layer 120, 121 is soluble and/or decomposable, in particular water-soluble, and dissolves, for example, through contact with surrounding soil 300 or the moisture contained therein after a predefinable time interval t.sub.1, t.sub.2. The predeterminable time interval t.sub.1, t.sub.2 can be set, for example, by the layer thickness and/or the solubility of the first encasing layer 120, 121.

[0084] As can be seen from FIG. 2, in an alternative embodiment, the seed capsule 100 contains a second receiving volume 110, 112, which surrounds the first encasing layer 120, 121, preferably completely, and contains one or more active and/or stimulation 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 and/or stimulation substances 140 or different mixtures of active and/or stimulation substances 140. 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 stimulating substance 140, such as mycorrhizal fungi, can be contained in the second receiving volume 110, 112. 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 stimulating substances 140, such as different, preferably symbiotic types of fungus.

[0085] The second receiving volume 110, 112 is in turn surrounded, preferably completely, 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 between them, desired time intervals t.sub.1, t.sub.2 until the corresponding active and/or stimulation substances 140 are released, 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 t.sub.2 up to the release of the active and/or stimulation substances 140 contained in the second receiving volume 110, 112 can be specified. Correspondingly, via 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 t.sub.1 until the active and/or stimulation substances 140 contained in the first receiving volume 110, 111 are released, can be specified.

[0086] The inventive concept also includes modifying sowing elements 200 known from the prior art for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0087] 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. 4. The sowing element 200 comprises a first metering device 211, here designed as a chambered sowing disc, and a single-grain laying device 220, here designed as a sowing tube. Seeds are supplied to the first metering device 211 via a seed reservoir (not shown here), whereby a single grain 320 being received 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-laying device 220 at regular time intervals. The second or lower end 222 of the single grain-laying device 220 opens into a seed furrow 310, which is drawn into the soil 300. As the sowing element 200 is pulled by an agricultural tractor along a pulling direction y, the individual grains 320 can be deposited at a first distance l.sub.1 from one another within and along the seed furrow 310 via the second end 222 of the individual grain laying device 220. The first distance l.sub.1 can be set by means of the pulling speed of the agricultural tractor and/or the rotational speed of the first metering device 211.

[0088] 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 equipped with seed capsules 100 in a corresponding manner from a seed capsule reservoir (not shown here). The second metering device 212 is also connected to the upper end 221 of the single grain-laying device 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. Thus, exactly one seed capsule 100 and exactly one single grain 320 are fed to the first end 221 of the single grain laying device 220 at the same time and can be deposited within the seed furrow 310 adjacent and touching one another via the second end 222. 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. This way the single grain 320 and the seed capsule 100 are fed to the first end 221 of the single grain laying device 220 via the connecting piece 230 with a corresponding time offset. In this way, a desired, second distance l.sub.2 (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-laying device 200, whereby a synchronous deposit is ensured 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.

[0089] 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 to x=0.5).

[0090] 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 its essential structure corresponds to the previously described first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4. The sowing element 200 comprises a single grain-laying device 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. Both individual grains 320 and seed capsules 100 can be deposited or placed within and along the seed furrow 310 with a desired, set, first distance l.sub.1 via the single grain laying device 220. The setting of the process variables or parameters l.sub.2, x takes place as described above.

[0091] A third exemplary modification of a sowing element 200 known from the prior art can be seen in FIG. 6 and its essential structure corresponds to the above-described embodiments. The single grain-laying device 220 is provided here 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 laying device 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 laying device 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 l.sub.2 (not shown here) from one another within the seed furrow 310, it is of course also conceivable to feed the chambers 213 alternately with a single grain 320 and one or more seed capsules 100.

[0092] According to a fourth exemplary embodiment, as shown schematically and in perspective in FIG. 7, the single grain laying device 220 shown here is designed flexible and hose-like as a sowing element 200 known from the prior art and it moves 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 l.sub.2 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 laying device 220 one after the other. Alternatively, the single grain 320 and the assigned seed capsule 100 can be fed in at the same time, the distance l.sub.2 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 l.sub.2 between the single grain 320 deposited in the seed furrow 310 and an associated seed capsule 100 is also shown, which can be set by the time-shifted loading of the single grain laying device 220. The distance l.sub.2 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

[0093] 100 seed capsule [0094] 110 receiving volume [0095] 111 first receiving volume [0096] 112 second receiving volume [0097] 120 encasing layer [0098] 121 first encasing layer [0099] 122 second encasing layer [0100] 130 center point of the seed capsule [0101] 140 stimulation substance [0102] 200 sowing element [0103] 210 metering device [0104] 211 first metering device [0105] 212 second metering device [0106] 213 chamber [0107] 214 rolling disc [0108] 215 circumferential belt [0109] 216 closing wheel [0110] 220 single grain-laying device [0111] 221 first end of the single grain-laying device [0112] 222 second end of the single grain-laying device [0113] 300 soil [0114] 310 seed furrow [0115] 320 single grain [0116] l.sub.1 first distance [0117] l.sub.2 second distance [0118] t.sub.1 first time interval [0119] t.sub.2 second time interval [0120] x number [0121] y pull direction [0122] z.sub.1 first release period and/or release time [0123] z.sub.2 second release period and/or release time