MARIO VERGARA PASCUA
Science Research Specialist II
DA-PHilMech
Outline of the Presentation
Methods of seedling preparation
Using the Manual Seeder/Seedling Tray
Double Mulching Technique
using the mechanical seed sowing machine
Seedling nursery care and management
• If rice is established in the field by
transplanting rather than direct seeding, it
requires seedlings prepared in a nursery.
Seedling nurseries usually occupy 15-20% of
the total rice field area.
Mechanical transplant nurseries Seedling production
for mechanized transplanting is different from hand
transplanting.
- Seedlings are grown on a 1‐2cm
layer of sand or light soil in trays
30 cm x 60 cm.
- Seedlings are normally planted
10‐19 days after establishment.
- Young seedlings do not suffer the
same degree of transplant shock as
traditional nurseries
Seedling Preparation
using the Manual Seeder
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Requirements:
Pre-germinated seeds
Soil mixture
Seedling trays (350-400 pcs)
Manual Seeder
Wood or steel Frame
Knapsack Sprayer/Water Sprinkle
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Procedure:
1. Seed Preparation
6-8 hr Soaking 10-12 hr Incubation 1-2 mm length of sprout
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Procedure:
2. Wood or Steel Frame Preparation
Make frame using a 2”x2”x12’ wood or
steel base on the dimension and no. of
trays to be used
60cm
60cm
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Procedure:
2. Wood or Steel Frame Preparation
Make frame using a 2”x2”x12’ wood or steel base on the
dimension and no. of trays to be used
60cm
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Procedure:
Step 3. Soil preparation
Carbonized Rice Hull (CRH) and Organic Soil (1:1, BY WEIGHT)
Requirement for 1 ha:
10 bags CRH and 5 bags organic soil
Garden Soil and Organic Soil (70:30, by volume)
Requirement for 1 ha:
16-18 bags garden soil and 3-5 bags organic soil
Garden Soil, Organic Soil and Carbonized Rice Hull (50:30:20, by volume)
Requirement for 1 ha:
14-16 bags garden soil, 3 bags organic soil and 2 bags CRH
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Procedure:
4. Put soil into the plastic tray.
Slightly compact the soil.
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Procedure:
5. Put the trays with soil to 6. Water the soil using a
theframe knapsack sprayer
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Procedure:
7. Pour the pre-germinated seeds
into the manual seed sowing
machine. Adjust setting
depending on the thickness or
mass (150-160 grams
per tray)
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Manual seeder
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Procedure:
8. Sow germinated seeds using
the manual seed sowing
machine
9. Cover the seed with soil. Water
the soil
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Procedure:
10. Keep trays under the shade for
1-2 days
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
1. Choose a field plot to accommodate
1.5m x 60m seedbed with 0.3 m space
around or between beds
2. Prepare the seedbed following the
usual land preparation (plowing
once, twice harrowing and leveling )
3. Prepare seedbed (3 – 5 cm high) at
least 2 days before transfer the
seedling trays
Seedling Preparation using the Manual Seeder
Double Mulching Technique
Double Mulching Technique
It is an alternative method of seedling preparation for
mechanical transplanting. Sowing is done manually
using two plastic film sheets or canvass on seedbeds.
Double Mulching Technique
Advantages:
Technically viable alternative to
expensive mechanical seedling
preparation equipment and seedling trays.
More economical
Uses locally available and even
recycled materials.
Minimal movement/transport of
seedling mats in the field.
Higher field capacity and efficiency
of the transplanter is possible with double
or extended length of seedling mats.
Double Mulching Technique
Requirements:
Pre-germinated seeds
Soil mixture
Mulching/plastic films
Wood or Steel Frame
Knapsack Sprayer/Water
Sprinkle/Irrigation System
Double Mulching Technique
Step 1. Wood frame
preparation
• 2 pcs – 1in x 2in x 8 ft (for width side of the
frame)
• 16 pcs – 1 in x 2 in x 12 ft(for length side of
frame)
• 8 pcs – 1 in x 2 in x 12 ft for wooden pegs
(30cm long) or can be replace using other
materials like bamboo slats…
Double Mulching Technique
Step 2. Soil Mixture Preparation
Step 3. Seedbed Preparation
At least 2 or 3 days before seed sowing
With good water management
Prepare the seedbed following the usual land preparation (plowing once,
twice harrowing and leveling )
Dimension: 1.5m width x 28.5m long x 3-5 cm height observe 30 cm
distance between or around bed
Double Mulching Technique
Step 4. Seed Soaking and Incubation
Step 5. Prepare the mulching/plastic film
Prepare the mulching/plastic film:
One sheet of mulching/plastic film
with a dimension of 1.5 m x 28.5 m
without holes
One sheet of mulching/plastic film
with a dimension of 1.5 m x 28.5 m
with holes
Note: Fold the mulching/plastic sheet and
use a wire nail or any pointed materials.
Each holes should have a distance of at
least 2 inches
Double Mulching Technique
Step 6. Seed Sowing
a) Place the mulching/plastic film with holes into the seedbed.
b) Make/Construct the wood or steel frame
Wood frame should have wooden pegs When using an angular steel frame, placed clay
soil (putik) on the side of the angular steel
Double Mulching Technique
Step 6. Seed Sowing
c) Scatter soil with a thickness
of 3 cm. Flatten the soil.
d) Water the soil
Double Mulching Technique
Step 6. Seed Sowing
e) Scatter the pre-germinated seeds
evenly (approximately 1 kg/sq.
meter)
f) Scatter soil to cover the seed (
thickness of 0.3-0.5 cm)
g) Place the mulching/plastic film
(without holes) to cover the
seedbed.
Note: Remove the mulching/plastic 1-2
days or depending on the weather
condition and when the seedlings grows
at least 1cm
3. Double Mulching Technique
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
Characteristics of the System:
high capacity
90% sowing efficiency
Recommended for large
scale operation
high investment cost
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
Equipment Needed:
Soil Crusher
Soil Riddling Machine
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
1. Prepare the soil
2. Prepare the pre-germinated
seeds
3. Prepare the seed sowing
machine
Check the water source
Check the power source
Check the control panel
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
Switch
Speed control
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
Mechanical Seed Sowing Machine
1. Seedling Preparation using the Mechanical Seed Sowing
Machine
Seedling Nursery Care
and Management
Seedling Nursery Care and Management
Water Management
Maintain the water level, can be equal or higher than the
seedbed until the spring of the first leaf
Spring of 2 or 3 leaves, water level should be lower than the
seedbed
Seedling Nursery Care and Management
Water Management
4-5 days before transplanting, water level should be half of
the seedbed height
One day before the schedule of transplanting, drain the
water. 10-19 days old seedling should be transplanted using
a mechanical rice transplanter
Seedling Nursery Care and Management
Nutrient Management
No inorganic fertilizer added
Use growth hormone to enhance the growth of the seedling
five days after seed sowing.
Seedling Nursery Care and Management
Insects, pest and diseases Management
Free from insects, pest and diseases
Seedling Nursery Care and Management
Hauling/transportation of Seedlings
Seedlings on Plastic Trays
- Remove the seedling into the
tray using a seedling remover
- Pull and roll the seedlings
from the plastic trays
- Haul or transport the seedlings
Seedling Nursery Care and Management
Hauling/transportation of Seedlings
Double Mulching Technique
- Cut the seedlings using a knife/cutter
base on the dimension of 28 cm x 58 cm or
28 cm x 116 cm
- Roll the seedlings
- Haul or transport the seedling
Seedling Nursery Care and Management
Seedlings on Plastic Trays DMT System
Conditions of seedling and planting problems
CONDITIONS PROBLEMS EXPECTED
Poor conditions of seeding, sprouting • Uneven quantity of seedlings per hill
• Missing hill
Week and tall or aged seedling • Uneven quantity of seedlings per hill
• Results in damaged seedlings, or irregular formation
Too thick or too thin a seedling mat (adequate • Uneven quantity of seedlings per hill
thickness 2.5-3 cm) • Results in irregular formation
• Collapsing seedling mat (too thin a mat)
Insufficient rooting of seedling mat which is • Uneven quantity of seedlings per hill
easy to collapse • Results in floated or collapsed seedlings
Too much expanded roots • Uneven quantity of seedlings per hill
• Fails in taking all seedlings
• Uneven scooping per lane of seedling mat
Thank You
Thank You
References:
• Rice production Manual – by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
under Creative Commons
• Ricehub: PLAR-IRM Curriculum: Technical Manual (Wopereis et al., 2009)
• PhilSCAT presentation materials for seedling preparation
• Transplanter operator’s manual-Yanmar
