Popular microgreen varieties and seed selection
Almost any edible vegetable, herb, or cereal seed can be cultivated as a microgreen.
Popular commercial choices include:
- Crucifers: Radish, broccoli, cabbage, mustard, and kale, valued for their crisp texture and rapid 6 to 9 day turnaround.
- Legumes: Pea shoots and sunflower microgreens, known for their sweet, nutty flavor and substantial harvest biomass.
- Herbs: Basil, coriander, and fenugreek (methi), popular in culinary garnishes.
- Amaranth and beet greens: Prized for their vivid red and magenta stems that elevate culinary presentation.
- Always use certified untreated, pathogen-free seeds free from synthetic pesticide coatings.
Growing systems, substrate and environmental control
Microgreens thrive in vertical racking systems that maximize vertical indoor space.
Technical requirements:
- Growing media: Sterilized coco peat, hemp mats, or shallow hydroponic capillary pads in shallow drainage trays.
- Lighting: Full-spectrum LED grow lights providing 12 to 16 hours of daily photoperiod after blackout germination.
- Temperature and humidity: Maintain 20°C to 24°C and relative humidity around 50% with oscillating fans to prevent fungal damping-off.
- Watering: Bottom-watering via flood trays or automated drip to keep foliage completely dry.
Harvesting, post-harvest packaging and marketing
Harvest greens when first true leaves appear by cutting stems cleanly just above the soil line using sanitized stainless steel shears. Pack in ventilated food-grade clamshell containers and refrigerate immediately at 2°C to 4°C to maintain freshness during supply to high-end restaurants, organic stores, and direct retail consumers.
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
National Horticulture Board (NHB) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
How many days do microgreens take from sowing to harvest?
Most microgreen varieties are ready for harvest within 7 to 14 days after seed sowing, depending on the crop species and temperature.
Why are untreated seeds essential for microgreen farming?
Because microgreens are consumed raw along with their young stems within two weeks, seeds must be free from chemical fungicides and synthetic pesticide dressings.
Can microgreens be cultivated indoors without direct sunlight?
Yes, microgreens are commonly cultivated indoors using multi-tier vertical racks equipped with full-spectrum LED grow lights.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More Seeds, Crops & Cultivation guides
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