Raising Seedlings and Nursery Care for Cole Crops and Fruit Vegetables

July 7, 2025 Agrovista 6 min read

Quality seeds & quality seedlings are the most essential requirements for the full potential of any seeds to achieve a high yield of a vegetable crop. Raising a quality nursery means savings in the usage of precious hybrid seeds, timely and sufficient seedling availability for the planned acreage, uniform crop maturity, plant health, and ultimately, the quality of produce.

Selection of site-raising seedlings

Raising Seedling and Nursery Care for Cole Crops and Fruit Vegetables — Selection of site-raising seedlings

Ensure the locations have semi-shady conditions, well-drained medium-loam soil rich in organic matter, and neutral soil pH. An irrigation source in the vicinity with neutral pH water is highly desirable.

Preparation of cover soil for the nursery

a) This is done at least a year in advance.

Arrange sufficient quantities of good and fine topsoil from an area where vegetable farming has not been practiced for over 3 years.

(b) Well-rotten farm yard manure (FYM) or leaf mould.

Prepare a mixture of the ingredients stated above in points a), b), and c) in equal proportions and add fertilizer Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) at 200 grams per 100 kilograms of the mixture along with 20 grams of carbendazim 50% WP/captan 50% WP. Mix thoroughly. Ensure that a sufficient moisture (not wet) level is maintained. Add water if required. Shift the quantity so prepared on a polyethylene sheet in a sunny position and cover with a tarpaulin or dark-colored plastic sheeting. Leave it unattended for usage during the next season. Ensure that during the monsoon, field overruns do not mingle with the mixture.

Preparation of seedbeds

Nursery beds should be prepared with the utmost care. Ensure that while preparing the beds the soil is at an optimum moisture level and workable. Prepare raised beds 10 to 15 centimeters high with the help of a spade in straight lines and parallel to each other. Work to a fine tilt. Remove all soil lumps and pebbles. Some 20 beds measuring 8 meters by 0.6 meters are sufficient for raising sufficient seedlings for one hectare. Add 150 to 200 kilograms of well-rotten FYM along with 200 grams of DAP and 30 grams of Carbend 50% WP and captan 50% WP per bed and work to mix thoroughly within the bed.

Seed sowing

Seed sowing is best carried out during the evenings. Seeds are sown in minute straight furrows prepared on the seedbeds along the width. The furrow-to-furrow distance for seed sowing should be 5 cm, and the depth should be between 0.50 to 0.75 centimeters. This can be easily accomplished by using a pencil-thick, strong twig or a wooden ripper

Sow seeds singly 2.0-2.5 centimeters apart in the furrows. From 20 to 25 grams of seed is sufficient per bed. Use no more. After sowing, use only sieved one-year-old cover soil( as explained earlier) to cover Use only sieved one of the seeds up to the depth of the furrows, i.e. 0.50 to 0.75 centimeters.

Irrigation of the nursery

Immediately after the seeds are sown, water adequately, or rather
Drenching the seedbeds with the help of a watering can is necessary. It may be noted that this ensures good seed-soil contact.
ensuring good germination. Remember to add 1 gram of Carbendazim 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 seedlings emerge, carry on with the usage of Carbendazim 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 the 4 to 6-leaf stage.

Seedling hardening-off treatment

This is a simple treatment of hardening the seedling to prepare it for a transplant shock into the main field. At the 4th to 6th stages 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 case, the seedlings droop, showing water stress during the afternoon sun, and
firm up the next morning. This is nothing unusual; hence, do not panic.

Seedling care on removal from nursery

Seedlings are like small babies; hence, they need tender care while handling. Remove seedlings with the help of a fork or a twig with sharpened edges. Place the fork under the root system of individual seedlings and lift the 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 the 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 as soon as possible. Care should be taken to minimize dehydration in transit due to the hot sun/dry wind blowing over. Provide cover of thin muslin cloth. Never use polyethylene as a cover during hot sun.

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 minutes before transplanting. This enables the plant to imbibe a sufficient quantity of water to withstand new conditions and a better crop stand

Agrovista-Farming

Raising Seedlings and Nursery Care for Cole Crops and Fruit Vegetables

Selection of site-raising seedlings