(IPPM) in Vegetables - Vegetableipmasia.org

Resource Manual on IPPM in Vegetable
World Education Philippines, Inc.
C. Methods of Seed Sowing
Sowing is the most important operation in crop production. The seed must be deposited at
required depth i.e. moist zone of soil so as to get optimum condition for its germination.
Or sowing is the placing of specified quantity of seeds in soil in the optimum position for
its germination and growth,
Too shallow sowing results in thin germination due to inadequate soil moisture at top soil
layer. Similarly, if the seeds are sown very deep in the soil, the young seedlings may not
able to push their shoots above, through thick soil layer. So that seed must be sown at
proper depth and should be properly covered with soil so as to get adequate moisture for
its germination. Seeds are sown either directly in the field or in nurseries where they are
raised and then transplanted later.
Planting is the process of putting plant propagules (May be seedling, cutting, tuber,
rhizome, clones) into soil to grow as crop plants.
Sowing Methods
The method of sowing should depend upon size of seed, type of crop and season. The
following methods are generally used for sowing different field crops.
1. Broadcasting
Broadcasting means scattering seeds uniformly by hand all over well-prepared field
and then covering the seeds with soil through the help of light implement or plank.
Broadcasting of seed is done in dry, semi-dry and wet fields. For sowing of wet fields
the seed must be soaked in water for 12 hrs and incubated for a few hours so that the
radicle just begin to emerge from seed and then broadcasted by hand uniformly.
Broadcasting method is adopted for grain crops, and most leafy vegetables are sown
using this method. Crops which require transplanting i.e. paddy, tobacco, onion,
cauliflower, cabbage are also sown using this method.
Advantages
1. It is a quicker and cheaper method as far as cost of labor is concerned.
2. Implements are not required for sowing.
3. Skilled labor is not required for sowing.
4. It can be done in moist condition.
Disadvantages
1. It requires more seed per unit area.
2. It is an old method and skilled labor is required for uniform distribution.
3. The seeds fall at different depth resulting in uneven and guppy plant stand as
shallow-sown seed may not germinate due to adverse moisture condition and
germination of deep sown seed may have adverse effects due to depth.
4. Inter culture operation is difficult as spacing is not maintained.
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