Introduction:

Tomato being grown on large scale in India. There is a

huge demand for the seedlings of tomato. The trend to
buy these seedlings from commercially nurseries is
increasing amongst farmers. This has encouraged the
commercial nursery venture under protected conditions.
Different types of structures are used for growing the
seedlings under protected conditions eg. Colches, Low
tunnels, Medium tunnels, Walking tunnels, shade net
house, Greenhouse etc. Farmers prefer to buy seedlings
from nursery so as to reduce the efforts and resources
required in the early stages of the plant.
Structures Used:

Cloches: Colches are structures covered with perforated

polyethylene caps to protect seedling containers.
Low Tunnels: These are small arc about 0.5 m tall. They
cover the raised beds of tomato nursery. It is supported
with a steel frame which is removed as required.
Medium and Walking Tunnels: These structures are of
medium height where a person can walk and carry out
nursery operations.
Shadenet House: These structures are covered with
shade net and polyethylene. They are big enough to work
inside.
Structures Used:
Greenhouse: It has a wooden or steel frame and is
covered with polyethylene. They are big enough to work
inside and they create optimum condition for plant growth.
Cover Material Used: Polyethylene: The polyethylene
used for covering all structures is UV stabilized and 200
micron. This type of polythene has a life of 3 to 5 years.

Raising Seedlings in Protected Nursery

The selection of structure depends on the quantity of
speedlings required. The commercial nursery owner prefers
nursery under medium tunnels, shade net house or
greenhouse.
Growing Seedlings in Shadenet House
 Media:
Soil-less medium used in Nursery: Cocopeat
It is either soil + FYM (1:1) or soil
less media such as Cocopeat or
peat. The media is disinfected with
formalin @0.025%, 5L water/m2.
The disinfection is done morning
or evening but never in noon. The
soil is covered with black
polyethylene for 36-72 hours after
drenching the soil with formalin
solution. Then polyethylene is
removed and water is drained to
remove formalin residues.
Preparation of Bed:

Soil is thoroughly prepared. Raised beds of 10.0x1.0x0.30m3

size(lxbxh) are prepared. Before preparation of bed add 1kg
of single superphosphate,25g of Phorate /bed. Line sowing is
done across the width of the bed at 7cm. The seed required
for single bed is 40g. Ten beds are required for raising the
seedlings for 1ha area. Seedlings raised under protected
cultivation are exclusively F1 hybrids.
Aftercare:

Irrigation: Micro-sprinkler help to create good

microclimate and bring about even distribution of

moisture. Avoids exposure and displacement of seed.
Protection against diseases and pests: Weekly spray of
Malathion + Neem seed kernel extract 4% against aphids,
mites, white flies, leaf miner and Bavistin 10mL/10L water
against damping off and wilt.
Climate Control: The temperature and humidity is
maintained at 24-26oc and 80% respectively.
Advantages:

• Better management of the seedlings

• Production of healthy and quality seedlings is short time.
• Uniform growth of seedlings.
• Precision in production practices.
• Economy of inputs such as seed, insecticides, fungicides
etc.
• Lesser effect of the adverse climatic conditions.