Lessons

Raising seedlings

Raising healthy seedlings in nursery beds, shade-net houses and protrays.

The advice below comes from each crop's guide — every item shows its source, region and date. It is pending expert review; ask your local officer whether it suits your area.

Crops with advice (23)

Tap a crop to open its advice.

  • Paddy2 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Nursery area and seed rate

      For one hectare of main field, raise seedlings on 20 cents (800 m²) of land near a water source. Seed rate: 30 kg for long-duration, 40 kg for medium-duration and 60 kg for short-duration varieties, and 20 kg for hybrids.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Transplanted rice – Wet nursery: nursery area & seed rate, p. 17
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04

    • Biofertilizer seed soaking

      Mix five packets (1 kg/ha) each of Azospirillum and phosphobacteria, or five packets (1 kg/ha) of Azophos, with enough water and soak the seeds in it overnight before sowing in the nursery. The bacterial suspension left after draining can be poured over the nursery. Bio-control agents and biofertilizers can be mixed for seed soaking, but fungicides and bio-control agents are not compatible.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Transplanted rice – Seed treatment (e), p. 17
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Chilli1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Seed rate and nursery

      Seed rate: 1.0 kg per hectare for varieties and 200–250 g per hectare for hybrids. Nursery area: 100 m² for one hectare. Sow treated seed in lines 10 cm apart in raised nursery beds, cover with sand, and water daily with a rose can.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Chilli – Seed rate, nursery area & nursery, p. 73
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Tomato2 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Seed rate and nursery sowing

      Seed rate: 300–350 g per hectare for varieties and 100–150 g per hectare for hybrids. Sow in lines 10 cm apart in raised nursery beds and cover with sand.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tomato – Seed rate & seed treatment, p. 57
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04

    • Protected nursery in pro-trays

      For one hectare, prepare a 3-cent nursery area with a 2% slope, covered with 50% shade net, with 40/50 mesh insect-proof nylon net on the sides. Fill pro-trays with sterilised cocopeat (300 kg mixed with 5 kg neem cake and 1 kg each of Azospirillum and phosphobacteria) and sow one treated seed per cell. Stack the trays and cover with polythene until germination starts; after six days, place them on raised beds inside the shade net. Water daily with a rose can, and drench with NPK 19:19:19 at 0.5% (5 g per litre) 18 days after sowing.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tomato – Protected nursery, p. 57
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Pearl millet1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Nursery for transplanting

      For one hectare, raise seedlings on 7.5 cents near a water source where water does not stagnate. Apply 750 kg of FYM, and sow 3.75 kg of seed (0.5 kg per cent) in shallow rills no deeper than 1 cm, covering with 500 kg of FYM. In shoot fly-endemic areas use up to 12.5 kg per hectare and transplant only healthy seedlings. Do not keep seedlings in the nursery for more than 18 days, and do not let cracks form in the nursery.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cumbu – Nursery, pp. 82–83
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Finger millet1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Nursery for transplanting

      For one hectare, select 12.5 cents (500 m²) near a water source where water does not stagnate. Spread 37.5 kg of super phosphate mixed with 500 kg of FYM, and plough well. Form raised beds of 3 m x 1.5 m with 30 cm channels. Broadcast 5 kg of treated seed in shallow rills (not deeper than 1 cm), cover lightly, and sprinkle 500 kg of powdered FYM. Do not sow deep, and do not let cracks form. Pull out seedlings on the 17th–20th day.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ragi – Preparation of nursery, pp. 92–93
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Brinjal2 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Nursery, seed rate and transplanting

      A 100 m² nursery raises seedlings for one hectare. Seed rate: 400 g/ha for varieties and 200 g/ha for hybrids. Sow in lines 10 cm apart in raised beds and cover with sand. Prepare the main field with FYM at 25 t/ha and ridges 60 cm apart, apply 2 kg each of Azospirillum and phosphobacteria with 50 kg FYM, irrigate the furrows and transplant 30–35-day-old seedlings. Spacing: 60 x 60 cm for varieties and 90 x 60 cm for hybrids.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Brinjal – Nursery, seed rate & field preparation, pp. 63–64
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04

    • Grafted brinjal

      Grafting: 30-day-old brinjal seedlings (scion) are cleft-grafted on 55–60-day-old non-bitter Solanum torvum seedlings (rootstock), kept 15 days in a mist chamber and 15 days in a shade net to harden. Plant grafts at 1.0 x 1.0 m (10,000 grafts per hectare). A first ratoon crop can be kept for four months, and a second ratoon raised in the same way.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Brinjal – Grafting technology, pp. 67–68
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Cabbage1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Seed and nursery

      Seed rate: 650 g/ha (250 g/ha for hybrids raised in protrays). Treat seed in hot water at 50 °C for 30 minutes; 25 g Azospirillum treats 250 g of seed. Nursery: 100 m² per hectare, with 300 kg FYM, 10 kg of 9:9:9 mixture, 50 g sodium molybdate and 100 g borax. Sow in rows 10 cm apart on raised beds. Seedlings are ready in 40–45 days (about 25 days in protrays). Avoid land with club root disease.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cabbage – Seed rate; nursery; seed treatment, p. 119
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Cauliflower1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Seed and nursery

      Seed rate: 375 g/ha (250 g/ha for hybrids in protrays). Treat seed in hot water at 50 °C for 30 minutes; 25 g Azospirillum treats 250 g of seed. Nursery: 100 m² per hectare with 300 kg FYM, 10 kg of 9:9:9 mixture, 50 g sodium molybdate and 100 g borax; sow in rows 10 cm apart on raised beds. Transplant 25-day-old (early varieties) or 45-day-old (late varieties) seedlings. Avoid land with club root disease.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cauliflower – Nursery; seed rate; seed treatment, pp. 124–125
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Bottle gourd1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Sowing and irrigation

      Seed rate: varieties 2 kg/ha, hybrid 1 kg/ha. Treat seed with Trichoderma viride 4 g/kg or Pseudomonas fluorescens 10 g/kg (a fungicide option is also listed). Dig 30 x 30 x 30 cm pits at 2.5 x 2 m; sow 3 seeds per pit and thin to 2 after 15 days. Irrigate before sowing, then weekly. With drip, 15-day-old seedlings from protrays or polybags are planted on 120 cm raised beds.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bottle gourd – Season and sowing; seed rate; preparation of field; irrigation, p. 89
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Snake gourd1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Sowing and irrigation

      Seed rate: 1.5 kg/ha. Dig 30 x 30 x 30 cm pits at 2.5 x 2 m and form basins. Treat seed with Trichoderma viride 4 g/kg or Pseudomonas fluorescens 10 g/kg (a fungicide option is also listed). Sow 3 seeds per pit; thin to 2 after 15 days. Irrigate the basins before sowing, then once a week. With drip, 12-day-old protray seedlings are planted 60 cm apart on 120 cm raised beds.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Snake gourd – Season and sowing; seed rate; preparation of field; irrigation, p. 84
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Pumpkin1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Sowing

      Seed rate: 1.0 kg/ha. Dig 30 x 30 x 30 cm pits at 2 x 2 m. Soak seeds in twice their volume of water for 30 minutes; treat with Azospirillum just before sowing. Sow 3 seeds per pit and thin to 2 plants per pit after 15 days. In protected nurseries, 12-day-old seedlings from 98-cell protrays with cocopeat are planted.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Pumpkin – Season and sowing; seed rate; spacing, p. 82
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Capsicum1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Nursery and transplanting

      Seed rate: varieties 1.25 kg/ha, hybrids 200 g/ha; nursery area about 3 cents per hectare. In a protected nursery (50% shade net, insect-proof side net), sow one seed per cell in 98-cell protrays with cocopeat mixed with neem cake, Azospirillum and phosphobacteria. Transplant 40–45-day-old seedlings 30 cm apart on ridges 45 or 60 cm apart; with drip, use a 90 x 60 x 60 cm paired-row system on 120 cm raised beds. Fill gaps on the 7th day. (A chemical seed treatment is also listed — ask your officer.)

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Capsicum – Seed rate; nursery; protected nursery; preparation of field, pp. 78–79
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05
  • Turmeric1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Saving seed cost with pro-tray transplants

      Raising transplants from single-bud rhizome pieces (5–7 g) in pro-trays gives healthy planting material and reduces the seed rhizome quantity and cost. Cut seed rhizomes into single-bud pieces a month before planting, plant them in 98-cell pro-trays filled with partly decomposed coir pith and vermicompost (75:25) enriched with PGPR or Trichoderma at 10 g/kg, keep under a 50% shade net with need-based watering, and transplant in 30–35 days.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Turmeric – Production of turmeric transplants, p. 171
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Cardamom1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Raising plants and spacing

      Collect seeds from healthy, high-yielding plants (600 g/ha of fresh seed). The source gives an acid seed treatment before sowing — do this only with guidance from your officer. Sow in beds of rotted cattle manure, wood ash and jungle soil, cover with fine sand, mulch, shade and keep moist; germination starts after a month. Move one-year-old seedlings to a shaded secondary nursery at 20 x 20 cm and transplant at 18–22 months. Suckers from high-yielding plants can also be multiplied in clonal nurseries. Plant in 60 cm pits filled with compost and topsoil (contour planting on slopes): Mysore type 3 x 3 m, Malabar 2 x 2 m, Vazhukka 2.4 x 2.4 m.

      Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cardamom – Seeds and sowing; secondary nursery; propagation from suckers; spacing, pp. 168–169
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05
  • Curry leaf1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Raising and planting

      Fruits are available in July–August; within 3–4 days of collection, pulp the seeds and sow in nursery beds or polybags. Plant one-year-old seedlings, one per pit, in 30 cm pits dug 1–2 months earlier at 1.2–1.5 m spacing. Plough 3–4 times and apply 20 t/ha of well-rotted FYM before the last ploughing.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Curry Leaf – Season of sowing and planting; preparation of field, p. 158
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05
  • Papaya1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Nursery and planting

      Seed rate: 500 g per hectare. Sow in polythene bags, not deeper than 1 cm: 5–6 seeds per bag for dioecious varieties and 3–4 for gynodioecious varieties. Raise seedlings in a protected (insect-proof) structure with partial shade to avoid papaya ringspot virus; they are ready in about 60 days. June–September is the best planting season; avoid severe summer and peak rains. Plant at 1.8 m either way in 45 x 45 x 45 cm pits and avoid water stagnation in the basin.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Papaya – Sowing; nursery; planting, p. 33
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Watermelon1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Sowing and irrigation

      Form long channels 2.5 m apart. Sow 3.5 kg/ha of seed treated with Trichoderma viride 4 g/kg or Pseudomonas fluorescens 10 g/kg (a fungicide option is also listed) on one side of the channel, 0.9 m between hills; thin to 2 per hill after 15 days. Irrigate before sowing, then weekly. Seedlings can also be raised in polybags or protrays and transplanted at 12 days; with drip, plant 60 cm apart on 1.2 m raised beds.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Watermelon – Season and sowing; preparation of field; irrigation; nursery, p. 101
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05
  • Muskmelon1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Sowing and irrigation

      Form long channels 2.5 m apart. Sow 3 kg/ha of seed treated with Trichoderma viride 4 g/kg or Pseudomonas fluorescens 10 g/kg (a fungicide option is also listed) on one side of the channel, 0.6 m between hills; thin to 2 per hill after 15 days. Irrigate before sowing, then weekly. With drip: 12-day-old protray seedlings at 1.5 m x 30 cm on 120 cm raised beds.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Muskmelon – Season of sowing; preparation of field; irrigation; sowing, pp. 103–104
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05
  • Arecanut1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Seedlings and planting

      Take seed nuts from marked, outstanding mother palms and sow right after harvest, 5–6 cm apart in sand beds under partial shade, stalk end up. At 2–3 leaves (about 90 days), move to a secondary nursery (30 x 30 cm) or polybags of forest soil for 12–18 months under partial shade. Plant dwarf, compact seedlings with many leaves (1–2 years old) in 90 cm pits 2.75 m apart, covering up to the collar; give shade in summer (banana planted in advance also helps).

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Arecanut – Seeds and sowing; planting, p. 223
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05
  • Cashew1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Propagation and planting

      Propagate by softwood grafting, air layering or epicotyl grafting. For the nursery, soak seed nuts in water for 12–24 hours and use only those that sink. Dig 45 x 45 x 45 cm pits and fill with soil, 10 kg FYM and 1 kg neem cake. Spacing: 7 m each way (200 plants/ha); high-density planting at 5 x 4 m (500 plants/ha), pruning interlocking branches in July–August.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cashew – Seed treatment; propagation; preparation of field; spacing, p. 201
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Oil palm1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Nursery and planting

      Plant 12–14-month-old healthy seedlings, 1–1.3 m tall with 13 functional leaves, in May–June. Use 60 cm pits at 9 m triangular spacing (143 palms/ha), then form a basin and irrigate heavily. Mulch basins with empty bunches, male flowers, coconut husk or sugarcane trash to save moisture and control weeds.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Oil Palm – Nursery techniques; planting, p. 225
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05
  • Coffee1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Nursery, planting and shade

      Raise seedlings from fully ripe berries of selected seed plants; sow in December–January in raised beds, flat side down, 1.5–2.5 cm apart, under an overhead pandal; seeds germinate in about 45 days, then move to polybags (jungle soil–FYM mixture). Plant in June–September in 45 cm pits with 500 g rock phosphate each, along the contour on slopes. Spacing: Arabica 1.5–2 m, San Ramon dwarf 1 x 1 m, Robusta 2.5 m. Plant dadap stakes for lower shade and silver oak at 6 x 6 m for permanent shade; regulate shade during the monsoon. (The source also mentions a chemical seed dressing — ask your officer.)

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Coffee – Nursery practices; sowing; preparation of field; spacing; shade trees, pp. 196–197
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05
  • Mulberry (sericulture)1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →

    • Nursery and planting

      For one hectare, raise saplings on 800 m² near water with 1600 kg FYM. Take semi-hardwood cuttings 10–12 mm thick and 15–20 cm long, with 3–4 buds and a clean 45° cut, from a 6–8-month-old garden; dip the ends in Azospirillum (1 kg in 40 litres) for 30 minutes, apply VAM 100 g/m², and plant at 15 x 7 cm at a 45° angle. Transplant 90–120-day-old saplings at the onset of the monsoon, on ridges at 90 x 90 cm (or a 75/105 x 90 cm paired row), keeping about 12,345 plants/ha; apply 20 t/ha FYM at the last ploughing. (Chemical nursery treatments for termites and root rot are also listed — ask your officer.)

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sericulture – Mulberry cultivation: nursery; main field; planting, pp. 363–364
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05