Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Exercise No. 3.21 97
PRICkING-OFF TO HASTEN HARDENING OF
ORGANICALLY-GROWN CELERY AND LETTUCE
SEEDLINGS PRIOR TO TRANSPLANTING
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
If root disturbance cannot be avoided, such as when seeds
are sown in seedbeds or seed boxes, it becomes necessary
to prepare them for adverse environmental conditions
in farmers’ field and minimize transplanting shock.
Transplanting shock refers to a temporary setback in growth
after transplanting. Such preparation hardens them and this
process is called hardening. It involves a checking of growth.
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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
Hardening results in making protoplasm less hydrated, thus, plants can resist longer periods of low
water absorption.
If seedlings were closely spaced initially, transferring some of them to new containers or spacing
them wider would facilitate growth. Transplanting to give seedlings greater space in which to grow
before transplanting in farmers’ field is called pricking-off 98 . Pricking-off is an old practice by
farmers in the Cordilleras, particularly for celery and lettuce seedlings.
Through the years, some farmers had made innovations, which led to better hardening process,
resulting in better crop productivity. These experiences must be shared with other farmers in
FFSs to continuously evolve better practices, which will further improve productivity, hence, this
exercise.
How long will this exercise take?
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ In FFS, TOT, and VST
sessions, at seedling stage
of celery and lettuce in
seedbed of learning field;
and
ɶ When farmers want to
learn improved prickingoff
practices from other
farmers for hardening
of celery and lettuce
seedlings.
• Thirty minutes for field walks, farmer interviews, and observations of celery and lettuce
seedbeds where pricking-off were practiced in adjoining fields of learning field;
• Thirty minutes hands-on for pricking-off of celery and lettuce seedlings from seedbed; and
• One hour brainstorming session in processing area after one month.
97 Adapted from Callo, Jr., D.P., L.B. Teofilo, and H.A. Tauli (eds). 2002. Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Vegetable IPM, Volume II. SEAMEO
Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. pp118-120.
98 Bautista, O.K. (ed). 1994. Introduction to Tropical Horticulture. 2 nd Edition, SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture
and University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines. pp179-180.