PRACTICAL MODULE ONLY 60320 - Unit 3

Unit 3: Seedling Preparation and
Maintenance
Martini Mohammad Yusoff
3.1 Introduction
Seedlings are usually prepared and raised in a nursery. A nursery is a facility where seedlings
are raised for planting purposes. In the nursery, the young seedlings are tended from seed
sowing stage to a stage when they are ready to be transplanted to the field, glasshouse or
sold. Alternatively seedlings can be raised and placed in some shaded area with adequate
water supply.
3.2 Objectives
Students will be able:
1. To describe the facilities and equipment used in nursery production
2. To describe media preparation and seedling management
3. To experience the processes in raising plant seedling from sowing to pre-transplanting
3.3 Methodology
A. Seed Selection
Seed selection should start by obtaining seeds from healthy plants or purchased from reliable
seed suppliers. Only seeds which are genetically pure, true to type and free from pest and
diseases are to be used. Small, shriveled and broken seeds should be removed to ensure
growth of stronger and healthier seedlings. A germination test is usually conducted to check
the germination percentage of the seeds. Germination percentage determines the percentage
of seeds that are alive and provides their potential field performance e.g. 95% germination rate
means 95 out of 100 seeds are likely to germinate under field condition. At time of purchase,
some seeds are pre-treated with fungicide to protect them from fungal infestations.
B. Seed Tray Preparation

Seeds can be sown in containers, flat seed trays, wooden seed trays, cell seed trays/plug,
polybags or jiffy (Figure 3.1). Cell seed trays are ideal since they hold shallow cells where
seeds are directly sown into the medium-filled cell, saves space and allows the grower to easily
move the seedlings. Sowing seeds in divided containers such as in the cell prevents the plants'
root systems from coming into contact, which makes transplanting easier later. Cell seed trays
usually have holes or slits at the bottom to allow excess water to drain out.
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Flat seed tray Wooden seed tray Seed tray (cell tray/plug)
Polybags of various sizes Jiffy with young seedlings
Figure 3.1: Different types of seedling containers.
C. Growing Media Preparation

The most common growing medium for seedling production is peat moss. However, compost
or coconut coir dust also can be used. Other recommended media are combination of vermi
compost and coconut coir dust or peat and sand, in 1:1 (v/v) ratio.
D. Filling and Sowing

 Fill the tray cell/plug with the selected growing medium, water the medium until moist
and make a hole in each cell of the seed tray.
 Put one to two seeds in each cell of the seed tray and cover it lightly with the growing
medium.
 Lightly wet the growing medium by spraying with water or put the seedling tray in a flat
tray which contain water, lets the water sip through the growing media. Cover the trays
with black plastic sheet to conserve moisture until germination. Once germination occurs,
remove the plastic sheet.
 The growing media should be kept moist throughout the growing period. Do not over-
irrigate, which could lead to leaching and fungal attack.
 Monitor the growth of the seedlings.
 If more than one seedling germinates in one plug, choose the healthy one and cut the
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un-chosen one.
3.4 Keywords
Seeds, Nursery, Growing media, Seed tray, Seedlings, Irrigation system
3.5 Activities
1. Preparation of growing media.
2. Preparation of seedlings.
3. Seedling maintenance.
3.6 Student Observation

1. Students need to observe and record data of seedling growth such as plant height,
number of leaves, any symptoms of damping off and insect attack if any by taking
photographs. Observation records need to be documented as in Table 3.1.
2. The observations of the seedlings are to be compiled into a report and submitted at the
end of week 7. Report can be uploaded to Putrablast.
Table 3.1: Observation on seedlings development
Days after % germination No of days Symptoms of Image

sowing when 2 true damages
leaves emerge
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3.7 Summary
After undergoing the practical part in this unit, students are able to describe techniques of
sowing seeds by using seed trays. Students are also exposed to the learning process of how
to prepare the growing media, sowing of seeds and seedling maintenance. Students will have
the opportunity to practice how to raise seedlings to ensure that only quality and healthy
seedlings are produced.
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References
John, M. (2004). Nursery Management 2nd Edition. (pp.316). Landlinks Press, Collingwood,
Australia.
Elizabeth, S & Jacqueline, S. (2004). Good Practice in Nursery Management. (pp.179). Nelson
Thomas Ltd, Cheltenham, United Kingdom.
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Unit 3: Seedling Preparation and

B. Seed Tray Preparation

Polybags of various sizes Jiffy with young seedlings

Figure 3.1: Different types of seedling containers.

C. Growing Media Preparation

D. Filling and Sowing

3.6 Student Observation

Table 3.1: Observation on seedlings development

Days after % germination No of days Symptoms of Image

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