Planting trays in Kenya, also known as seedling trays, are plastic or Styrofoam sheets designed to hold seeds from germination to seedling. They are commonly used by farmers as an alternative to direct open-field planting.
Compared to open-field sowing, using planting trays has several benefits, including:
- Higher Probability of Seed Germination
Planting trays provide seeds with optimum growing conditions and protection from natural environmental conditions such as weather, animals, insects, and birds. This increases the probability of seed growth.
- Faster Germination
Seedlings in plastic trays take 10 to 20 days less to germinate compared to natural field planting.
- Durability
Planting trays are made from high-density plastic materials that are durable and can withstand all natural conditions. They can be reused multiple times and are non biodegradable, which does not interfere with the plant's development.
- Healthy Root Development
Planting trays facilitate healthy root development by providing good drainage and holding growing media.
Types of Planting Trays
Planting trays are industrially molded from high-density plastic materials, mostly recycled, into circular or square cells. The number of cells in a tray varies from 28 to 288 seedling tray cells, and the actual cell size has an average length of 40mm, width of 40mm, and height of 50mm.
Depending on the plant grown, tray cells may have a perforation at the bottom to allow for drainage and root aeration. Some cells also have tiny air holes around the cell to allow excellent air circulation.
Different types of plants require different conditions to grow. Therefore, it is essential to consider the following factors before choosing a planting tray:
Plant type
Tray cell size
Perforation and air circulation requirements
Weight and thickness of the tray
Irrigation and protection requirements
Using planting trays provides a conducive artificial environment to grow many seedlings fast and in a very small space.
This technology has significantly increased the quality and quantity of produce in a shortened period.
While plastic trays have been widely used in growing crops with seeds, more research is required to find better and more efficient ways of growing crops with tubers and suckers.
