Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 2.10 Filling potting mix in polypots
the soil settle in and firm in and then the pot should be filled again. If loosely filled,
soil will settle later and make polypots limp, resulting in dislodgement of roots and
heavy mortality of plants during handling. At least 1 to 2 cm from top of the pot
should be kept empty to avoid spillage. Filled polypots should be placed erect in
sunk beds.
2.8
Preparing Seedbeds and Mother Beds
Seedbeds (also known as germination beds) are laid out by spreading a uniform layer
of potting mix in 1 m wide strip of suitable length, preferably 10 m. Often the layer is
kept 10 cm deep, as this is the maximum expected root penetration of the pricklings
(seedlings of size suitable for pricking out and transplanting). The beds should be
located in shade and close to the polybeds where the seedlings will be transplanted.
Seedbeds should be thoroughly drenched a couple of times before sowing seeds in
them.
Mother beds are the fields in which seedlings are transplanted to grow. These beds
occupy a large area—in fact, entire fields—which should be thoroughly ploughed to
a depth of 35 cm in cross directions. If the soil in the area is of good quality, manure
need not be added, but in soils of poor quality, FYM should be spread over at the
rate of 20 t/ha and ploughed in. The field can then be divided into beds by laterally
and longitudinally running furrows that also act as water conveyance channels for
irrigation. The various rectangular or square beds so formed should be numbered and
a plan of these beds should be prepared and entered into the nursery journal. These
beds will receive transplants of seedlings, though sometimes seeds may be directly
sown in regular drills.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search