SEEDLINGS PRODUCTION TECHNICAL GUIDES

When you heard the word seedling what come to your mind

Seedlings are young plant raised from seeds while seeds are unit of production of a flowering plant
capable of developing in to another plant. Farmers willing to raised there seedlings should understand
that the important of site location is very important,topography,water supply,drainage,area and
proximity to transplanting field should be carefully consider in there decision making.

The choice of seedling trays or container depends on farmer location and affordability, this result to
different innovation ideas initiated by different farmers across the globe such as the use of egg, shell,
jute bag, plastic containers and trays etc.

Seedling trays/Container : This are used for propagating vegetables, flowers and other
plant from seed before transplanting in to open Field or Green house .This offer farmer’s opportunity to
start a large number of seeds in one container.

Seedlings trays enhance the following benefits

1. Easy to transport to field

2. It ensure strong healthy seedlings with a well developed root system

3. It allows high quality and uniform seedlings

4. Trays can be re used after proper washing and storage

Be innovative and find suitable seedlings containers around you!!

Growing medium and growing media
To have healthy seedlings it depends on choice and selection of a workable growing medium and
growing media. Growing medium is the material used in a container to grow a plant which enable plant
root development being it soil or soilless while a Growing media consist of mixtures of components that
provide water, air, nutrients and support to plants. A growing medium must be selected according to
the aeration and water requirements in respect to the growth stage of the plant while a growing media
composition, functions and intended use should be understand to make the selection process easier.

The function of growing media are not limited to but include: They provide a reservoir for water holding,
a nutrient holding and exchange system while a growing medium provide physical support, aeration,
water and mineral nutrient supply.

Seedlings production planning: For a successful seedlings production, adequate decision

making is is the bedrock to economic wise production, therefore planning determine the quantity of
materials and equipment to procure during production.

Quantity of seeds, growing medium ,number of seed packs and trays to procure could be determine
when proper planning is done prior to production.

The size of the land area available for transplanting of seedlings determine the quantity of seeds to be
raise, agricultural farm area are being measure in hectare(meter square per hectare) I.e 10,000 meter
square =1 hectares .

Miss Lawal have a farm size of 10000 meter square for tomatoes production, using the land size and
choice of seeds to grow, as a certified seed grower determine the quantity of seeds, growing medium,
number of tray and seed packs to procure during seedlings production?

Since the land area size is 10000 meter square therefore standard Bed size 1m by 0.5m.

To get number of beds in 10,000 meter square.

100m÷1.5m= 66 numbers of Bed.

The intra spacing between seedlings when transplant on bed determine the total number of seedlings
on one bed.
As we all agree that the intra spacing for tomatoes is 0.5m and the length of the bed is
100m.100m÷0.5m

=(200)×2=400

I.e the seedlings are transplanted at both length side of the bed.

Therefore total number of seedlings are :

Total number of Beds in 10,000 meter square multiply by Total number of seedlings on one bed.

66 number of bed ×400 numbers of seedlings on one bed =24,600

Do not forget your 30% extra of seed

therefore 30 % of 26,400=7,920

New number of total seeds = 26,400 +7,920= 34,320

using a seed tray of 104 cells the total number of trays to procure?

34,320÷ 120 =285 trays are needed

Using a growing medium of coco pith, since 9-10kg of coco pith could fill 21 trays of 120 cells how many
kg will fill up 285 trays?

10kg=21trays

Xkg= 285 trays

Cross multiply

= 136kg of coco pith will fill up 285 trays

Using a seed pack of 1000 seed per pack, for 34,320 seed?

Since:

1000 seeds

=1 pack

34,320 seeds= X pack

When we cross multiply

We will have 26 packs.

SEEDLINGS MANAGEMENT
Choice of seed: It is always advisable for farmers to always select seeds that high resistant to prevailing
diseases in their environment, high yield and suitable to the farmer ecological environment because all
these considerations enhance quality yield and better performance of seedlings. sowing of seed: the
seed tray should be filled gently with the growing medium and not compressed in to the seed tray, the
seed depth shouldn't be too deep and not too shallow therefore the depth should double of size of seed
or preferably the year of experience of the farmer could be use to determine the sowing depth, cover
the seed lightly with the growing medium and irrigate lightly please always avoid over watering rather
the growing medium should be kept moist.

Irrigation frequency: The choice of growing medium determines the frequency of irrigation of seedlings,
the more absorbent your growing medium the lower you irrigate while the less absorbent the growing
medium the higher you irrigate. Generally irrigation could be done twice in a day early morning and
afternoon with a very light irrigation.

it should be note that seedlings need a growing medium that's constantly moist as they can't survive
long without water.

Fertilization of seedlings: the nutrients content of your growing medium (e.g potting soil
/coco coil) being it organic or in organic growing medium determine if additional fertilization would be
needed or not. It has been reported that some growing medium such as coco pith could supply the
reacquired nutrients needed by seedlings throughout their nursery duration while some growing
medium could not, for organic base seedlings production there is no need of additional in-organic
nutrient rather organic base growing media should be selected,but if this could not be achieved or
afford by some farmers Drenching of seedlings can be implemented.

Drenching of seedlings is the supply of fertilizer to the base of the growing medium without altering the
foliage part of the seedlings.

Procedure is described below:

· The farmer should get NPK15:15:15 or CAN fertilizer,

· A bowl size that could accommodate the seed tray and also allow floating of the seed tray when
immersed.

It is advisable during drenching of seedlings to use the same quantity of water you use should be
equivalent to quantity of fertilizer in grams/ liter respectively.

· 5 liter of water to 5g fertilizer.36

Mr. John is planning to raised 34,200 seedlings, as a Extension service provider kindly explain the
procedure for fertilizing is seedlings and estimate the possible quantity of water and fertilizer to be
used?

· Using a seed tray of 120 cells the total number of trays to procure=

34,320÷ 120 =285 trays are needed

· Since 20 (g ) +20 (l ) will be enough for 17 trays

THAT IS 20 gram +20 litters = 17 trays

X = 285 trays

· cross multiply/ make × the subject of formula

· We have 335 grams of NPK 15:15:15 + 335 Liters of water will be approximately needed for 285
trays of seedlings.

Note : the quantity of fertilizer reacquired should be first dissolved in smaller container before dissolving
in the estimated quantity of water, also the base of seedling trays are to be drenched not the leafy part
in addition seedlings should be irrigated after drenching to avoid burning of the foliage part of the
seedlings.

Furthermore seedlings could be drenched 2_3 weeks after sowing or preferably follow the crop guide
provided on the seed pack.

Seedlings Hardening: This is simply refers to as transition of seedlings from a controlled

environment to another new environment.

This process prepared seedlings to withstand the changes in environmental condition of their new
environment. Seedlings that are not hardening are expected to experience plant shock during
transplanting as a result of direct sunlight on the field. It is expected to reduced watering of seedlings to
the bearest minimum during hardening process rather they should experience more of sunlight i.e from
low duration to higher duration.
Hardening process could be achieved following these three basic steps:

* Bring out your seedlings to experience a maximum of one hour sunlight duration this expected during
your first day of Hardening.

· Return your seedling back to the nursery house to cool.

· Lengthening the sunlight duration during hardening process for about 3_4 days before
transplanting.

Note: Seedlings are to be transplanted to their new home being it open field or greenhouse
after a sucessfull hardening to avoid over due of seedlings in nursery,also to allow proper root
development and healthy plant.

Dear passionate farmers we should be able to use the right words when purchasing our growing/nursery
material, which means seedlings are different from seeds, also we have learnt the important of
planning, this will enable us to avoid excess or shortage of growing materials in order to maximize profit
and lastly If our great farmers are ready for adoption of new ideas (innovation) with time modern
Agronomic practice will surely be our way of life.

Relatively only few Nigerians farmers have given serious thought about growing organic fruits and
vegetable. However, now is a good time to consider the possibility for a number of reasons which
include:

· Strong demand for organic horticultural products, while the supply base in Nigeria remains
small

· Potential to significantly expand the volume and range of horticultural crops grown in Nigeria

· A horticultural enterprise as an integral part of an existing livestock system may help to increase
margins

· The new organic farming system, will provides specific support for organic horticulture. It
assumes a sound understanding of agricultural systems, but limited knowledge of fruit and
vegetable production.

Starting a new enterprise is a significant step full with opportunities , there are many challenges that
need to be met such as technical and production issues like marketing outlets, logistics and distribution,
access to land, machinery, labour and finance .

We hope that this guide serves as a good introduction to organic growing, as we are so much fortunate
in Nigeria to have a number of organizations who are able to help in putting theory of organic growing
into practice, just as I am ready to help you put in theories into practical on the basis of organic growing,
so as to be able to achieve our dreams in both financially and helping our dear nation nigeria as a
ccountr.