Methods of Sowing and Transplanting.
---------------------------------------

1. Broadcasting

This is an oldest method. This method is suitable for close planted crop which do not require a specific geographic area. Crop plants which do not require special type of cultural practices e.g. earthing up or Interculturing etc. may be sown by broadcasting. This method is followed in the crop having short life period. Seeds are spread or scatter by hands over the field and covered with the help of wooden rake or light plank. Broadcasting is mostly followed for small sized to medium sized crops.

2. Drilling:

Drilling is practice of dropping the seeds in furrows by a mechanical device at a distance rows. Seed are drilled in parallel line. Distribution of seeds is regulated by releasing seeds in to the bowl by the hand. For covering the seeds light planking is done by plank.
3. Dibbling:

Putting the seed or few seeds in a hole or pit or pocket, made at predetermine spacing and depth with a dibbler or very often by hand. This method is suitable for wide space crops requiring a specific geometric area for their canopy development or cultural practices. First all lines are marked vertically and horizontally with the help of marker at a particular distance. At each cross seeds are dibbled with the help of dibbler by manual labour. Then seeds are covered with soil.

4. Sowing behind the plough

Sowing behind the plough (line sowing) done by manual or mechanical means. Seeds are dropped in the furrows opened by the plough and the same is closed or covered when the next furrow is opened. The seeds are sown at uniform distance. Manual method is a laborious and time consuming process. Seeds like red gram, cowpea and groundnut are sown behind the country plough. Major sown crop is groundnut. Seeds are sown by mechanical means by ‘Gorus’ – seed drill. A seed drill has a plough share and hopper. Seeds are placed on hopper. Different types of seed drill are available, e.g., simple Goru – Guntakas.

5. Nursery Transplanting

Transplanting is the removal of an actively growing plant from nursery and planting it in main field for further growth and production. In this method seeds are not directly sown in the field but seeds are sown first in nursery with proper care. After proper growth (generally four weeks), seedlings are uprooted and transplanted in well prepared main field. This method is useful for raising the crops which have small size seeds and require more care in the initial stage.


Sowing methods