The DLG (German Agricultural Society) released a new publication entitled “Single-seed sowing of cereals” within its ongoing Expert Knowledge Series. The latest title examines the agronomic and technological potential of single-seed sowing in cereals. Various examples of this technology were displayed at Agritechnica 2025.
The new publication, developed by the DLG Technical Committee “Soil Cultivation and Sowing Technology”, which consists of practitioners, academics and representatives from industry and organizations, provides a clear and practice-oriented overview of the current state of single seed sowing in cereals.
“Our working group brings together practical field knowledge, academic research, industry solutions and advisory expertise. This combination allows us to present a realistic, technically sound assessment of single seed sowing of cereals. With this publication, we aim to summarize what is currently known about the opportunities and limitations of precision placement in cereals and offer farmers a reliable basis for their own decisions,” commented Prof. Dr. Till Meinel, Vice President of DLG, member of the Technical Committee.
Free to access, the document outlines both the potential and the constraints of the single seed sowing technique. Unlike conventional drill sowing, which distributes grains rather randomly within the row, single seed systems place each seed at a defined spacing and depth. Findings from advisory bodies, manufacturers and research institutions show that, under favourable conditions, this can lead to more uniform stands, modest yield increases, better aeration, and occasionally reduced disease pressure.
Farmers working with precision systems have also reported more resilient crops, particularly during dry spring periods. Technical and economic challenges remain as well, including the need for reliable singulation at practical field speeds and the higher investment and maintenance demands of precision machinery.
The work reflects DLG’s interdisciplinary and non-profit approach. Each publication is produced by one of some 40 dedicated working groups that bring together farmers, researchers, industry representatives and advisory experts, ensuring that the content remains evidence-based and directly relevant to day-to-day agricultural practice.
The DLG publication concludes that single seed sowing offers real agronomic potential, but that economic and technical factors still limit broader adoption. As with all titles in the DLG Expert Knowledge Series, the objective is to provide farmers with independent, evidence-based information that supports practical and informed decision-making.
Released shortly after Agritechnica, the publication’s findings align with and further substantiate the industry trends presented at the trade fair.
The brochure was produced by Detlev Dölger (Hanse Agro GmbH), Prof. Dr. Till Meinel (Cologne University of Applied Sciences), Wilfried Mißlbeck (farmer), Prof. Dr. Yves Reckleben (Kiel University of Applied Sciences) and Georg Horst Schuchmann (DLG Competence Center Agriculture). It was developed under the DLG Technical Committee “Soil Cultivation and Sowing Technology”, one of around 40 interdisciplinary technical committees supporting the organization’s knowledge work.
Innovations in sowing technology
During Agritechnica, Prof. Dr. Till Meinel on behalf of the DLG’s working group presented how sowing technology is advancing: the increasing integration of multiple inputs during a single pass, with machines capable of placing seed, fertilizer and, in some cases, crop protection agents either through a shared coulter rail or through separate placement systems.
Digitalization is pushing boundaries, as seen in Amazone’s EasyTram software, which enables automated and highly precise tramline creation based on cloud-generated application maps.
This system reduces operator workload and ensures repeatable tramline accuracy, even on slopes.
Further innovations include the (ultra-)shallow cultivation and sowing system from 4 DISC GmbH, which uses hydraulically driven, horizontally mounted discs to create a precise seed placement environment.
Lemken automated fan control monitors actual airflow rather than relying on blower speed alone. It helps avoid blockages or leaks while reducing energy consumption.
Amazone and Väderstad showcased electrically adjustable components on their precision seeders to optimize singulation quality. The trend towards automation was underscored by the XAVER carrier vehicle from Fendt, which can now be equipped with single-seed sowing technology and reflects the industry’s gradual movement toward autonomous field processes.
The DLG publications cover agricultural topics from sowing to storage, including plant protection, digitalization, agricultural technology to animal husbandry, and are published in German and English. Since 2007, the DLG regularly releases knowledge updates with recent titles like “Mechanical weed control: practical concepts for root crops “and “Crop protection sprayer technology”. More than 150 titles has been published to date.
The new publication on single-seed sowing is available for download at DLG Expert Knowledge 501:
