| Irrigation of the nursery |
Immediately after the seeds are sown, watering adequately or rather drenching the seed beds with the help of a watering-can is absolutely necessary. It may be noted that this ensures good seed-soil contact, ensuring good germination. Remember to add 1 gram of carbendazin 50% WP/captan 50% WP per liter of water for irrigation.
On the following morning and days irrigate lightly with the watering can. Till such time the seedling emerge carry on with the usage of carbendazin 50% WP/captan 50% WP with each irrigation.Nursery beds require frequent light irrigations. Take care that the beds are never too wet. When most seeds have germinated, cut down the frequency of irrigation and use normal water without chemicals till the seedlings attain 4 to 6 leaf stage. |
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| Seedling hardening-off treatment |
This is a simple treatment of hardening the seedling to prepare it for a transplanting shock into the main field. At 4 to 6 leaf-stage of the seedling gradually cut down the irrigation till on the 5th to 7th day the seedling gets used to practically no irrigation. In that the seedlings droop, showing water stress during the afternoon sun but firms-up next morning. This is nothing unusual, hence, do not panic. |
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| Seedling care on removal from nursery |
Seedling are like small babies, hence, need tender care while handling. Remove seedling with the help of a fork or a twig with sharpened edges. Place the fork under the root system of individual seedling and lift roots applying a gentle pull upwards with the other hand. In the process some roots are bound to break. Some root breakage facilitates early main root development. Packing for the seedling shipment is often overlooked. Place the seedlings in an upright position with some soil attached to the roots. Never crowd and bundle too tightly. It is always better to transport these in baskets or crates at the earliest possible. Care should be taken to minimize dehydration in transit due to hot sun/dry wind blowing over. Provide cover of thin muslin cloth. Never use polyethylene as cover during hot sun. |
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| Transplanting |
Transplanting of the seedlings into the main field should be done as soon as the seedlings arrive, preferably during late evenings. It is important to dip and rest the roots of the seedlings in plain water for about 20 minute before transplanting. This enables the plant to imbibe sufficient quantity of water to withstand new conditions and a better crop stand. |
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