Coimbatore: Farmers and nurseries engaged in multiplying seedlings using pro-trays can make use of the automatic pro-tray filling and seeding machine installed at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University’s (TNAU) vegetable orchard. The machine can be hired on an hourly or daily basis. Farmers can either order seeds,
coco peat, mixed media and pro-trays from the university or bring their own.
TNAU had bought the Rs 55lakh machine from Italy recently to strengthen its efforts to mechanize agriculture and reduce dependency on labour. The machine will automatically fill the pro-trays with mixed media in the first stage, with seed in the next stage and water it in the last stage.
The machine not only reduces dependency on labour, but also ensures uniform germination and saves time, scientists said. “The labour cost for preparing a pro-tray is Rs 6 per tray. The machine can do it for just Rs 1.50. Small farmers and nurseries, who may not be able to invest in such a machine, can hire ours,” head of department of vegetables at TNAU R Arumugham said.
The machine is also more efficient. While it takes a day to fill 200 to 250 trays manually, the machine only takes an hour to fill 200 trays. “The machine will also ensure that the exact amount of mixed media, seeds and water is filled in each hole in the tray. People doing the task manually tend to place more seeds in one hole than the another, fill mixed media in various ratio and water unevenly. There is often too much water or too less,” the scientist said.
Pro-tray farming is becoming popular in farms and nurseries that grow tomato, chilli, brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower and recently watermelon and muskmelon also. “The method, which we have been advocating since 2003, ensures disease-free seedlings by eliminating use of mud and uniform germination. The trays occupy lesser space also. Once the seedlings reach a certain height and stage, they can be transplanted into soil,” Arumugam added.
