Seedling Transplanting and Care

Crop Establishment, Transplanting, and Direct Field Seeding

• Crop establishment begins with seed selection, focusing on characteristics like genetic purity, high germination percentage, high vigor, no dormancy, and freedom from foreign matter or contamination.
• Certified seeds are labeled with cultivar name, lot number, purity (typically 99%), germination percentage, date of germination test, and disease/insect treatment information.
• Seed storage is crucial, ideally at 5°C (typical refrigeration temperature), with seed moisture balancing surrounding atmospheric humidity and a relative humidity of 60% at 25°C being sufficient to dry most vegetable seeds to about 10% moisture. Storage durations of at least one year at 10% moisture are safe.
• Avoiding fluctuations in temperature and moisture levels is vital for preserving seed vigor.
• Most vegetable seeds store well under favorable conditions for at least a year.

Transplanting in Crop Production

• Transplanting ensures a complete stand of seed-propagated crops and is more economical when using expensive hybrid seeds.
• Transplanting extends the growing season for late-maturing crops.
• It improves land-use efficiency and saves costs on seeds.
• Transplanting forces early crop production for early markets and improves water efficiency by reducing irrigation needs.
• Other benefits include better early-season weed control, elimination of thinning costs/crop damage, and improved crop uniformity
• Planting methods include greenhouse production (most commercial transplants are grown in heated and ventilated greenhouses), typically in trays or flats.
• Bare-root transplants are another industry practice in the southeastern U.S., primarily for peppers and tomatoes, often grown on raised beds and shipped to northern regions.
• Container-grown transplants are increasingly common, often utilizing plug production systems similar to bedding plants.
• Plug technology decreases seedling production costs, increases transplant mechanization, uses small media volumes (typically peat-based), and requires uniform texture.
• Transplant timing is critical, with ideal planting times when plants have only two or three true leaves.

Direct-Field Seeding

• Direct seeding involves planting seeds directly in the field, making it the most economical planting method.
• Successful germination and seedling emergence can be influenced by soil conditions, weather patterns, and seed quality.
• Proper seedbed preparation is essential for accurate seed placement.
• Challenges may include weak seedlings (especially in carrots and onions that are susceptible to soil crusting and weed competition) and sensitivity to high soluble salt concentrations, particularly in legumes.
• Seeding methods include drilling (seeds placed closely together, similar to a grain drill), precision seeding (high accuracy ensures optimal spacing), and planting to a stand (one seed per designated point).

Soil Fertility

• Soil fertility, the soil's ability to supply nutrients to crops, is influenced by chemical factors (nutrients and soil acidity), physical factors (soil depth, water-holding capacity, aeration, and temperature), and biological factors (harmful organisms like plant diseases and insects, and beneficial organisms for organic matter breakdown).
• 17 chemical elements are essential plant nutrients. Three (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) come from the air, while 14 are from the soil.
• Macronutrients (nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sulfur) are needed in larger quantities and form 0.3% to 5% of a plant's dry weight.
• Micronutrients (e.g., iron, zinc, copper) are equally crucial but needed in smaller amounts.
• Leaves are often used to measure plant nutrient contents, as their composition often reflects nutritional differences.

Soil Preparation

• Preparing the seedbed involves plowing (initial tilling), discing (breaking up large clods), harrowing, and packing/rolling (refining and smoothing).
• Raised bed preparation often uses power bedders, disc tillers, or bed shapers to create uniform raised beds.
• Tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, and reduced tillage improve soil health, help with nutrient cycling, and reduce pest pressures.
• Organic matter is vital for soil productivity, and adding organic amendments (such as compost) enhances fertility and microbial activity.

Manure

• Manure (derived from animal waste) is used to improve soil quality and increase crop yields.
• Manures offer nutrient supply, increase soil organic matter, and serve as mulch.
• Different types of manure possess varying nutrient compositions. Fresh manure (e.g., from cattle and horses) has a nutrient content equivalent to 10-5-10 commercial fertilizer. Bedding materials dilute manure's nutrient content, potentially requiring composting or added nitrogen.
• Sheep manure has twice the nitrogen and potassium content of manure from larger animals, while poultry manure is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium carbonate.

Mulches

• Mulches include organic materials (like hay, wood chips, and straw) and plastics (black, clear, and colored).
• Organic mulches cool the soil, suppress weeds, add organic matter, and can be applied by hand.
• Plastic mulches warm soils, speed up crop growth (particularly good in cool springs), and suppress weeds, though they can sometimes overheat.
• Other mulch types include bio-degradable plastic and paper, and landscape fabric (can be re-used).

Fertilizers and their Application

• Fertilizers, materials used to supply plant nutrients to soils, include inorganic and organic types.
• Nitrogen (N) is the most commonly used fertilizer, improving crop yields in many cases. Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) also boost yields.
• Fertilizer grades (e.g., 5-10-5) indicate the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus (as P2O5), and potassium (as K2O) in the fertilizer, respectively.
• Various methods for fertilizer application exist, including broadcasting, banding, side-dressing, starter solutions (e.g., high in phosphorus), foliar application, and fertigation (applying through irrigation water).
• Soil testing is essential for effective fertilizer application to determine specific soil needs and nutrient ratios needed.

Weed Management, Irrigation, and Pest Control

• These are essential aspects of vegetable production.
• Postharvest handling of vegetables is also important for maintaining quality and minimizing losses.

Transplanting Success and Factors Influencing it

• Different vegetable crops have varying degrees of success with transplanting, recovery from transplant shock can vary.
• Transplanting success depends on the plant's ability to regenerate damaged root areas. Factors include transplant age, seedling reproductive development, and field environment.

This quiz covers essential practices for transplanting seedlings, including optimal timing, nutrient needs, and methods to enhance growth. Test your knowledge on challenges faced with seedlings, benefits of plug technology, and the importance of environmental conditions during germination.