Rising of Tobacco Seedlings

Rising of Tobacco Seedlings

1. Tobacco seeds are very small in size hence not sown directly in fields.
2. Seedlings are raised on nursery beds 10 cm high, 120 cm wide and of convenient length.
3. Nursery beds are prepared from sandy to sandy loam soil at high lying area in the farm.
4. Drainage channels are provided in between seedbeds:
5. Burning of surface soil of beds is done for partial sterilization of soil and to destroy weed seeds known as rabbing.
6. Some FYM is added to soil and also spread on the surface of bed to improve water holding capacity and to avoid cracking of the soil.
7. About 2 to 3 kg seed is sufficient for one hectare of nursery area.
8. Seeds are mixed with ten parts of fine sand for uniform sowing.
9. Seeds are spread on seed bed an mixed with soil by using rake.
10. An iron pipe is rolled over to compact the surface of seed bed and some water is sprinkled by watering can.
11. Layer of paddy straw is given over bed to protect emerging seedling from direct contact with sun rays and should be removed after 4 to 5 days.
12. The beds are weeded, watered and sprayed with pesticides regularly.
13. When seedling are three to four month old, small dose of Nitrogen is given as foliar spray.
14. Seedlings become ready for transplanting when they attain 12 to 15 cm height and have 4 to 5 leaves.