Minimizing transplant shock

Normally vegetable seedlings receive a setback when they are transplanted. Researchers at the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC). in Taiwan, have been looking to see how that setback can be reduced and establishment speeded up. They found that it takes some time for the small roots of seedlings to find a fertilizer granule which may have been applied to the seedbed before transplanting. In experiments, the researchers saw a tremendous difference when soluble fertilizer was placed in the planting hole at the time of transplanting. However, even better results were obtained if the type of fertilizer was varied to suit the crop. Chinese cabbage, for instance, responds better when a nitrogen solution is applied at transplanting, whereas chillies and tomatoes grow better with a dose of phosphates. In all cases there is good early growth, yields are heavier and the crop is ready for harvest earlier. The amount of fertilizer needed is small. Each seedling receive' in the region of 25ml of the nitrogen or phosphate solution. It can be squirted into the planting hole before the seedling is planted or watered around i' after planting. Watering cans car be used, but AVRDC are developing a planter that will put a squirt into each hole. The system reduces the total amount of fertilizer used on; crop. AVRDC have found the there is no need to apply fertilizer to the seedbed, only topdressing are needed. For crop of Chinese cabbage, for example, nitrogen applications can be halved. An added benefit i that there is less leaching of fertilizer, thus reducing pollution of the groundwater. AVRDC PO Box 42 Shanhua Tainan 74199 TAIWANNormally vegetable seedlings receive a setback when they are transplanted. Researchers at the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC). in Taiwan, have been looking to see how that setback can be reduced and establishment speeded up...