Method for transplanting of seedlings

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for mass growing of seedlings in a controlled atmosphere, for later transplanting into a permanent site, e.g. for reforestation. A growing system is disclosed wherein seeds are germinated into seedlings in a growth medium arranged in trays containing compartmentalized recesses or pots all joined together to form a seedling unit. Seedling units in mass growing systems have invariably several pots wherein either the seedlings are dead, or the inserted seeds never germinate; depending on the percentage success of seed germination in the individual pots of each seedling unit, the overall efficiency of utilization of the available room and manpower spent at the growing station is considerably affected. Those pots wherein the seedlings are dead or the seeds have not germinated are identified by automatically scanning the trays; the location of such pots is noted and the pots having no germination nor a usable seedling are emptied automatically and filled with a germinated seedling along with the required growth medium. Having thus ensured that all the pots in all the trays for final stages of growing are occupied by a proper seedling, the efficiency of space utilization is maximized, thereby obviating wastage of manpower, and resulting in increased economy.