Agricultural office : lettuce seedlings in tray

Expert says that the success of agricultural production depends mainly on the use of high quality seedlings

by Globo Rural Online

( Commercial substrates are more suitable for the preparation of vegetable seedlings in trays )

I would like to know some tips on how to make lettuce seedling in tray.
Silvano Francisco Pinto
Miracema , TO

The success of an agricultural depends largely on the use of high quality seedlings . In the case of lettuce cultivation is usually done with the use of cuttings for subsequent transplantation . Prepared with commercial substrates in trays , obtain better income for seeds , seedling uniformity , better control and less damage to plant roots at transplant . The trays are the most recommended plastic 200-288 cells , although currently many producers have used units reaching 400 cells .

With the function of the soil , providing support to the plant , nutrients , water and oxygen, the substrates may have different origins , and animal ( manure and humus ) , vegetable ( pies , cake , tree fern fiber , sawdust and coconut fiber ) , mineral ( vermiculite , perlite and sand ) and artificial ( phenolic foam and polystyrene ) .

Sometimes it is required supplementation of nutrients such as fertilizers added during the preparation of the substrate or through irrigation / spraying carried out with the nutrient solution during the development of seedlings. It is recommended to cover the seeds with 0.5 to 1 inch of soil or substrate , and after sowing , place the trays in place with mild temperatures ( 20 º C ) .

Another important factor is the appropriate management of water, which can be irrigated by fogging sprayer and subirrigation . Regardless of the system used , the water must be of good quality and provided in the quantity and at the right time . The plantlets are ready for transplanting 20 to 25 days.

Consultant: Warley Marcos Nascimento, researcher and deputy head of technology transfer at Embrapa Vegetables , Brasília Highway / Annapolis , BR 060 , Km 09 , PO Box 218 , CEP 70359-970 , Brasília , DF , tel . (61) 3385-9110 , cnph.sac @ embrapa.br

Source : Globo Rural Magazine ( Brazil ) .