Types of Seed Trays and Cell Cavity Selection
Pro-trays are manufactured from durable UV-stabilized plastic (polypropylene or PVC) and are classified by cavity count and volume.
- 50-Cell Trays: Feature large cell volume suitable for cucurbitaceous crops (watermelon, cucumber, bitter gourd) and papaya seedlings requiring deeper root balls.
- 72-Cell and 98-Cell Trays: The standard nursery industry choice for solanaceous vegetables including tomato, chili, capsicum, and brinjal.
- 104-Cell and 128-Cell Trays: Ideal for cabbage, cauliflower, onion, and flowering ornamentals with compact initial root systems.
- Drainage Hole Design: Each cell incorporates a bottom perforation that facilitates optimal water drainage and promotes natural air pruning of root tips.
Potting Media Preparation and Nursery Management
Raising vigorous, disease-free seedlings requires a lightweight, sterile, and moisture-retentive soilless growing medium.
- Soilless Media Mix: A standard ratio of 3 parts washed cocopeat, 1 part vermicompost, and 1 part perlite/vermiculite provides ideal aeration and water retention.
- Media Decontamination: Inoculate the potting substrate with bio-agents such as Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens to prevent soil-borne damping-off fungi.
- Sowing Technique: Place one hybrid seed per cell cavity at a depth twice the seed diameter, cover lightly with vermiculite, and water gently with a fine rose spray.
- Hardening Off: Move trays from protected shade nets into open sunlight 4 to 6 days prior to field transplanting to toughen seedlings against transplanting shock.
Economic Benefits and Government Support
Nursery production using pro-trays reduces hybrid seed requirement by up to 30 to 40 percent compared to traditional raised nursery beds.
- 100% Root Ball Integrity: Seedling plugs slide out cleanly with root systems intact, ensuring near 100 percent field survival after transplanting.
- Early Harvesting: Uniform plug seedlings establish immediately, advancing harvest maturity by 7 to 10 days.
- MIDH and NHB Schemes: Subsidies are available for establishing plug nursery units, polyhouses, and micro-irrigation misting systems under state horticulture missions.
Official source
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Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
Which pro-tray cell size is recommended for tomato and chili seedlings?
A 98-cell or 72-cell pro-tray is recommended for raising tomato, chili, capsicum, and brinjal seedlings.
Can plastic seed trays be reused across multiple seasons?
Yes, durable pro-trays can be reused for multiple cycles if thoroughly washed and sterilized with a mild solution of sodium hypochlorite or potassium permanganate.
Why is cocopeat used instead of regular soil in seedling trays?
Cocopeat is lightweight, sterile, weed-free, and holds up to eight times its weight in water, promoting rapid, fibrous root development without soil-borne root rot.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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