HITECH VEGETABLE NURSERY TECHNOLOGY
Due to the high cost of hybrid seeds, vegetable growers are shifting focus to
producing seedlings under protected conditions to ensure yield and quality.
In developed countries, raising transplants in polyhouses or greenhouses
using potting plugs or plastic trays with artificial media is common. In India,
rainy season field conditions are unfavorable due to white fly and other
insect populations, protected nursery raising techniques essential for year-
round production of vegetable seedlings. Various vegetables like tomato,
cucumber, and ornamental flowers can be raised on a commercial scale
using this method. Potato TPS nurseries can also be successfully raised in
protrays for transplanting outside.
Hi-tech Nursery:
Root Medium Ingredients: Coco peat , Vermiculite ,Perlite
Mix ratio: 3:1:1
These ingredients are combined and filled into trays for raising nursery in a
greenhouse.
A)Cocopeat: Made from coconut husk waste, it has good porosity, drainage,
and aeration. Pest- and pathogen-free, it’s widely used in developed
countries as a medium for raising vegetable and ornamental plant nurseries.
B) Perlite: A lightweight, heat-expanded volcanic rock that improves aeration
and drainage in mixes. It's neutral, provides minimal nutrients, and can be
pasteurized. Horticultural grade is recommended for its larger particle size
and effectiveness. A disadvantage of perlite is low weight causes floating
when watered, and produces dust during mixing. Wetting before use can
minimize dust.
C) Vermiculite: Vermiculite is heat-expanded mica, lightweight, mineral-rich
(Mg, K), good water-holding capacity, neutral pH. Available in grades 1-5,
with 2 and 4 being most common. Prone to compression, so handle gently.
Advantages of soil less mixes:
Uniform physical and chemical properties
Easy handling: lightweight and transportable
Versatile: custom mixes, soil amending, container use
Sterile: disease and pest-free, reducing seedling germination issues
Customizable drainage and moisture retention
Convenient: ready to use upon purchase
Disadvantages of soil less mixes:
Light in weight: prone to toppling over in wind or with slight push
Limited nutritional supply: fertilizers provide nutrition for a limited time
only
Lack of micronutrients: supplement with fertilizer program for optimal
growth
Lack of field correspondence: mixes differ from field soil conditions
Roots may ball up in pots: ensure good root contact with soil during
transplanting
Establishment issues: some plants may struggle to establish quickly
Cost: some mixes are expensive (though worth the investment)
Pro-trays/Seedling Trays:
There are 2 types (187 - 3.75cm & 345 - 2.5cm cavities)
Benefits: proper germination, independent growth, eliminates
mortality, uniform growth, easy handling, reliable transport
Used with thermocol trays for insulation (minimizing fluctuation in root
temperature)
Sowing of Seeds:
Fill trays with root media
Sow one seed per cavity
Use 187-cavity of 3.75cm trays for cucumber, muskmelon, tomato, and
brinjal
Use 345-cavity of 2.5cm trays for lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, and
capsicum
For raising the healthy seedlings Optimum conditions:
EC: 1.6-1.7
pH: 6.6-6.7
Temperature: 20°C (winter), 30°C (summer)
Water and humidity:
Apply water after sowing
Maintain 80% humidity
Irrigate when level drops
Growth regulators:
140 ppm (winter)
70 ppm (summer)
Nutrients:
N:P:K (1:1:1)
140 ppm (winter)
70 ppm (summer)
Apply weekly through fine sprinkler
Special care:
Avoid applying growth regulators when temperature is below 20°C
Use germination room to maintain optimum temperature
Transplanting:
Cucumber: 25-28 days (winter), 12-15 days (summer)
Muskmelon: 30-32 days (winter)
Tomato and Brinjal: 30-32 days (winter), with germination room
Ready for transplanting to main field or greenhouse
Advantages of Hi-Tech Nursery:
Raise seedlings under adverse climatic conditions
Faster seedling growth (shorter period)
Reduced mortality rate in transplanting
Early planting possible (off-season nursery)
Easy management of insects/pests and diseases
Reduced seed rate in hybrid vegetables (cost-effective)
