anaymalpani

1. Anil Kumar Nair
Division of Vegetable Crops
Email : nairak@iihr.res.in
Seedling Production In Vegetables Crops

2. QUALITY SEEDLING PRODUCTIONQUALITY SEEDLING PRODUCTION
 Commercial venture in tomato, cabbage,
cauliflower, capsicum, brinjal, chilli, etc
 Hybrids of these crops
 Commercial nursery Vs Individual Farmers
 Protected structure, pro-trays, media

3. Hi-Tech Vegetable Nursery Production
 Development of entrepreneurship in rural areas.
 Development of related small scale input industries.
 Employment generation especially for rural women.
 Waste utilization – Coconut Coir industry byproduct is
utilized.
 Mechanization is possible, hence reduction in drudgery
of farm workers.
 Nursery men can also act as techno agent in spreading
• latest technologies like improved varieties/hybrids,
• bio-inoculants,
• selection of varieties based on the season.

4. ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES
 Right media – good germination
 Each seedling – equal area – Uniform growth
 Seedling mortality, better controlled
 Less loss of expensive seed
 Transplant establishment , crop stand better
 Uniform and early maturity
 Viral disease damage can be reduced

5. SeedsSeeds
Direct sowing : 4 kg/acre
Transplanting : 0.5 kg/acre
Hybrids-raised bed : 100 g/acre
Hybrid- Pro-trays : 70 g/acre

9. PROTECTED STRUCTURESPROTECTED STRUCTURES
Nylon net house is popular
40 mesh nylon net, 35% shade net, granite
pillars, GI wire.
Polyhouse, low cost wooden polyhouse
Low tunnel structure – in case of net house
Plastic mulched raised bed to keep the trays

18. 2X50 trays/bed
=100 trays
2X50 trays/bed= 100
trays
2X50 trays/bed =100
trays
2X50 trays/bed =100
trays
32m
1
2
30
2X50 trays/bed =100
trays
2X50 trays/bed =100
trays
50m
30
Area:1600m2
Capacity: 50x2x2x30=
6000x100=6,00,000
LxBxH=50x32x2.4m
Bed width-1.2m
Walk space=60cm
Cost:Rs.150/m2
Plan of nursery
layout

21. SEEDLING TRAYSSEEDLING TRAYS
Protrays/plug trays – 98 celled most
common
Size : 28cmX 56cm
Re-usable, life depend on way of handling
and transport
It holds about 1-1.25 kg cocopeat media
Drainage hole

22. Growing MediaGrowing Media
Peat moss
Perlite
Vermiculite
Commercial, pre-blended, soilless mix
Organic media, Cocopeat, vermicompost,
compost

23. Perlite – a volcanic rock heated and expanded to
become lightweight white material. Sterile and pH-neutral.
When added to soil mix, perlite can improve air space
and water drainage. Create tiny air tunnels that allow
water and air to flow freely to the roots.
Vermiculite – a micaceous mineral that is expanded in
a furnace, forming a lightweight aggregate. Handled
gently, vermiculite provides plenty of air space in a mix.
Handled roughly, it compacts and loses its ability to hold
air. Vermiculite holds water and fertilizer in the potting
mix. Also contains calcium, magnesium, and has a near
neutral pH.
Growing MediaGrowing Media

24. GROWING MEDIAGROWING MEDIA
Cocopeat is most common
Coir pith is composted, sterilized
Excellent water holding capacity, good
aeration, light weight.
Cocopeat,vermicompost
Cocopeat decomposition

25. Arka Fermented CocopeatArka Fermented Cocopeat
Dr. G. Selvakumar,
Senior Scientist (Agrl. Microbiology)

26. Arka Fermented CocopeatArka Fermented Cocopeat
 Fermentation is the process of breakdown of
complex molecules into simpler products
 In this process a fungal consortium is used to
breakdown tannins and phenols present in raw
coirpith
 These fungal strains posses tannase activity
 The end product (cocopeat) is finally enriched
with beneficial microbes

27. Existing Commercial Cocopeat Production ProcessExisting Commercial Cocopeat Production Process
Source : www.oricoco.com; www.thiraviamcocopeat.com; www.cocopeatindia.net

28. AFC - Production ProcessAFC - Production Process
Raw Coir Pith
Fermentation
for 30 days
Fermented Substrate
Arka Fermented Coco-peat
Fungal Consortium
Arka Microbial
Consortium
Enrichment and
Stabilization – 1
day

29. Benefits of Fermented CocopeatBenefits of Fermented Cocopeat
 Reduced production cost by nearly 50 % over the
existing product (Rs. 1.50 – 1.75 / kg) compared to
commercially available cocopeat (Rs.3.50 to 4.00 /kg)
 Dispenses with washing of the raw coir pith, hence
environmentally friendly
 Can be done at the nursery itself
 Dispenses the need for pasteurization of the growth
media

30. Arka Fermented Coco-peatArka Fermented Coco-peat
 Enriched with beneficial microorganisms viz., N fixers, P
solubilizers and plant growth promoters
 Better germination and vigorous uniform seedlings
 Seedling raised on this growth media attain early
transplantation maturity
 Significantly lower turn over time
 Evaluated extensively in nurseries

31. Cocopeat Production in SilpaulinCocopeat Production in Silpaulin
BagsBags

32. Growth of tomato seedlings (cv. Arka Vikas) in differentGrowth of tomato seedlings (cv. Arka Vikas) in different
substratessubstrates
Control
Contr Commerc
i
FermentedCommercialControl

33. Tomato Root Development in Arka FermentedTomato Root Development in Arka Fermented
Coco peatCoco peat
Fermented Cocopeat Commercial Cocopeat

34. Large scale cauliflower seedling production usingLarge scale cauliflower seedling production using
Arka Fermented CocopeatArka Fermented Cocopeat

35. Seedlings raised on
commercial coco-peat
Seedlings raised on AFC and inoculated
with Arka Microbial Consortium

36. Bio agent colonized seedlingsBio agent colonized seedlings
Treating the seed with talc based formulations
of Psudomonas fluorescens or T.harzianum or
T.viride @10g/kg seed.
 Treating the media with above formulations @
1kg/ton + neem cake@50kg/tonne before
filling the trays.

37. 25-30 kg polyethylene
lined bags
COCOPEAT

38. SEEDLING TRAYSSEEDLING TRAYS
Protrays/plug trays – 98 celled most
common
Size : 28cmX 56cm
Re-usable, life depend on way of handling
and transport
It holds about 1-1.25 kg cocopeat media
Drainage hole

39. METHODMETHOD OF SEEDLING RAISINGOF SEEDLING RAISING
 Wash the tray - Fill the tray with media
 Make a small depression – finger/ tray/device
 Sow one seed/ cavity, cover with coco-peat
 Keep stacked for 5-6 days, cover with plastic.
 Irrigate, drench for damping off
 Nutrient spray : Triple 19 WSF : 3g/L :
 Protect tray from rainfall
 Harden the seedlings
 Spray systemic insecticides
 Seedlings will be ready by 21-42 days

40. CleaningCleaning
Once used, trays should be cleaned and
sterilized to avoid a buildup of soil-borne
diseases, especially those introduced from
the field.
Rinse trays to remove organic matter prior
to any chemical sterilization process.
Wash with soap and water and soak trays
for 5 min in Formalin 4%,

42. Seed dibblerSeed dibbler

46. Dibbling the protray Placing vacuum chamber on the
dibbled protray

47. Seeded protray
video

51. GerminationGermination
25-28o
C is ideal: about 8 days
20o
C: about 12 days
15o
C: about 20days

53. Nursery mechanizationNursery mechanization
Dibblers
Vacuum Seeders
Media sieve
Media mixers
Protray filling machine

57. Video

59. IrrigationIrrigation
Watering is done only when needed and
plug are allowed to dry sufficiently before
additional watering.
Using fine sprinkler.
Media should be kept moist but not
continually wet.
Better water during the day. Wet foliage at
night encourages disease.

61. FertilizationFertilization
Fertilizers used for liquid feeding of
transplants should be 100% soluble in
water.
Drenching with 0.2 % solution of water-
soluble fertilizer (19-19-19) when two true
leaves develop.
Foliar spray of 19-19-19 @ 3g/L, if needed.

63. FertilizationFertilization
 Fertilizers used for liquid feeding of transplants
should be 100% soluble in water.
 Drenching with 0.2 % solution of water-soluble
fertilizer (19-19-19) when two true leaves
develop.
 Foliar spray of 19-19-19 @ 3g/L, if needed.

64. Plant protectionPlant protection
Damping-off: Drenching with COC (3g/L),
Carbendazim (1g/L).
Systemic insecticides like Imidacloprid
0.3ml/L

65. HardeningHardening
Hardening allows transplants to acclimate or
adjust to new conditions beginning about one
week before transplanting.
Hardening can be accomplished by increasing
light intensity or exposing transplants under
full sunlight, reducing irrigation or watering
and fertilizer application.

66. Transportation

67. Cost estimatesCost estimates
SN Operation Paise/seedling
1 Net house structure 2.52
2 Trays 5.33
3 Cocopeat 5.00
4 Media filling and sowing 1.00
5 Labour for maintenance 1.50
6 PP chemicals and nutrients 1.00
7 Others 3.00
8 Chilli seeds 10.00
9 Total 29.35