Chapter 1.8
1.8 - Tools to transplant seedlings
Selena Caltagirone, University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Caltagirone,S (2022) Tools to transplant seedlings. In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org
Introduction
Many smallholder farmers transplant vegetables and other seedlings manually, which can cause negative consequences (Jorg et al., 2021). Smallholder farmers may transplant seedlings because it can help reduce pests as well as help crops to fight off weeds (Volente, 2021). This can in turn help women farmers who are especially given the laborious task of removing weeds manually (Volente, 2021). Transplanting is also undertaken to jumpstart crops in small irrigated nurseries, prior to the onset of rainfall, to help extend the growing season. Manual transplanting causes musculoskeletal problems including lower back pain by having to work in awkward positions, as well as hip and knee pain, by forcing farmers to kneel, bend and assume an uncomfortable posture (Xiao et al., 2012). In recent years, tools to transplant vegetable crops have increased, as manual labour becomes more expensive and is also prone to human error such as non-uniform spacing between seedlings (Jorg et al., 2021). In this chapter, I will describe 3 types of transplanting tools, which differ in design, cost and efficiency.
Pottiputki Transplanting Tool (Expensive)
Background:
The Pottiputki transplanting tool is shown in Figure 1 below. This tool has become very popular amongst some farmers (BCC, n.d.). To use this tool, farmers stab the hollow tube into the soil, open the jaws of the tool by stepping on the pedal, drop the seedling in the tool so it can travel down the hollow tube into the ground, pull the tool out of soil, close the jaws and repeat (Bare Mountain Farm, 2017). This tool also has lots of flexibility: farmers can change how deep the seedling goes into the soil (Bare Mountain Farm, 2017). It is also very efficient, able to transplant 400-500 seedlings per hour (Bare Mountain Farm, 2017). The tool is used to transplant a diversity of crops including most flowers, vegetables, and fruits (Bare Mountain Farm, 2017).
Benefits
The Pottiputki planting tool offers many benefits for farmers. It is very important for farmers to maintain an ergonomically correct working position to avoid any pain or discomfort (BCC, n.d.). The Pottiputki tool is tall and works in a way that the farmer can stand while using the tool and not have to bend down. This can reduce back and knee problems. The Pottiputki tool is also lightweight (2.92 kg) and comfortable, making it possible for women and people of different strengths to use the tool for hours (BCC, n.d.). This tool is able to plant seedlings of many types of crops, has a sturdy construction, and increases the chances of seedling establishment success due to its mechanics which make the soil less compact (BCC, n.d.). The tool reduces the tiredness of farmers and makes them able to transplant 40% more seedlings than if done manually in the same amount of time (BAP Equipment, n.d).
Cost and access
The Pottiputki planting tool can be bought online or in stores for around $275 USD (BAP Equipment, n.d). However, if this is unaffordable, small scale farmers can buy cheaper versions made by different companies (Walmart, n.d). Farmers can also share these tools at the village level using a cooperative, or a local entrepreneur can purchase it using a microfinance loan and make it into a fee-for-service business.
Widger Stainless Steel Seedling Transplanting Tool (Not expensive)
Background:
Some farmers may want a smaller and less expensive tool for smaller scale plantings (e.g. home gardens). For this, the Widger Stainless Steel Seedling tool is ideal, as shown in Figure 2 below. This smaller tool, which is about the size of a hand, a farmer should make an indentation in the soil with the end of the tool, pick up small seedlings with the tool using the correct end depending on the seedling size, place the seedlings in the hole and cover with soil (TerroirSeeds, n.d). The tool has been shown to be helpful for multiple crops, including small radish or beets (Gardens, n.d.).
Benefits
The Widger seedling tool has numerous benefits. One end of the tool is smaller and curved perfectly to carry seedlings that are very small. The tool is strong and therefore not easily breakable; it fits into the average hand; the curved support helps prevent injuring fragile seedlings; and the tool is the ideal size to open up spaces in the soil before transplanting (Burgon & Ball, 2022).
Cost and access: The Widger stainless steel tool costs only $10 USD on many websites (TerroirSeeds, n.d).
Gripper Tools to Transplant Vegetable Seedlings
Background:
Tools designed specifically to transplant vegetable seedlings include the the needle gripper and the two-finger gripper. These tools are shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 below, respectively. These two types of grippers work very similar to each other with just a few differences (Jorg et al., 2021). For the two-finger gripper, a farmer can change the closing angle of the gripper as well as have a soft touch on their fingers due to the polyurethane foam which can stop any pain that may arise from continuous gripping (Jorg et al., 2021). On the other hand, the needle gripper grasps the seedlings with two needles, and the farmer is able to regulate the distance between the needles to fit the size of the seedlings they are transplanting (Jorg et al., 2021). To use the grippers, one should grip the handles with their fingers, put the tool into the soil over the seedling, and push the handles together to grip the seedling for transplanting (Jorg et al., 2021).
Benefits:
Gripper tools for vegetable transplanting have many benefits. Just like the previous tools discussed, the grippers transplant seedlings at a faster rate than traditional methods, saving labour time and money for farmers (Jorg et al., 2021). In one study, farmers tested both gripper tools on four different vegetable crop for their ability to transplant seedlings and the subsequent success of the seedlings (Jorg et al., 2021). Both grippers had great success lifting the seedlings from their tray; the two finger gripper had a success rate of 95%, while the needle gripper had a success rate of 81.75% (Jorg et al., 2021). Overall, the two finger gripper worked best and was most successful with lettuce and chicory.
Critical Analysis
The Pottipuki planting tool is a good tool overall to transplant large numbers of seedlings; however it may have difficulty transplanting soft seedlings that are floppy at early stages which causes them to roll around inside the tool (e.g. Dianthus ornamental plants) (Baremtnfarm, 2017). As for the Widger tool, it is only effective for tiny seedlings (TerroirSeeds, n.d). A tool that is able to transplant seedlings of all sizes could potentially benefit farmers and reduce the money they spend on tools. The two gripper tool for vegetable crops is very successful at lifting seedlings without damaging the plant (Jorg et al., 2021). However, when the needle gripper was tested with leek vegetable seedlings, when the tool lifted the seedlings, the soil frequently got detached from the roots and sometimes shattered (Jorg et al., 2021). Additionally, overlapping leaves of different seedlings sometimes made it difficult for the two-finger gripper to transplant seedlings, although this problem did not occur with the needle gripper (Jorg et al., 2021). These tools can save a farmer time which in turn saves money, and also saves the farmer strain and pain from manual transplanting.
Picture Based Lesson to Train Farmers
Practical Links To Get Started
Alibaba and Indiamart have inexpensive seedling transplanters starting at $10 USD: Search “Seedling transplanter” at Alibaba.com and Indiamart.com
How to use Pottiputki planting tool https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDVr6X_jfh8.
Where to buy Pottipuki planting tool https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Garosa-Seedling-Transplanter-Transplanting-Tool-1pc-Seedling
More cost efficient Pottipuki planting tool g-Planter-Vegetable-Young-Plant-Garden-Greenhouse-Manual-Transplanting-Tool/19L9E962BMWV
Stainless steel transplant tool https://store.underwoodgardens.com/Widger-Stainless-Steel-Seedling-Tool/productinfo/T1095/
References
1.Bare Mountain Farm (2017) Pottiputki- Great Planting Tool. www.baremtnfarm.com (Retrieved September 29, 2022)
2.BAP Equipment (n.d.). Pottiputki planting tool. BAP Equipment Ltd. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://www.bapequipmentstore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1031m,
3.BCC (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2022, from http://pottiputki.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Planting_email.pdf
4.Jorg, O. J., Sportelli, M., Fontanelli, M., Frasconi, C., Raffaelli, M., & Fantoni, G. (2021). Design, development and testing of feeding grippers for vegetable plug transplanters. AgriEngineering 3(3), 669-680. https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/3/3/43/htm
5.Burgon and Ball. (2022). Seedling Widger. Burgon and Ball company website. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://www.burgonandball.com/products/seedling-widger
6.Walmart. (n.d.). Garosa seedling transplanter: Walmart Canada. Walmart.ca. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Garosa-Seedling-Transplanter-Transplanting-Tool-1pc-Seedling-Planter-Vegetable-Young-Plant-Garden-Greenhouse-Manual-Transplanting-Tool/19L9E962BMWV
7.Volente, G. (2021, March 23). Transplanting plants: Reasons, methods, & examples. Greenhouse Today. Retrieved December 2, 2022, from https://www.greenhousetoday.com/transplanting-plants-reasons-methods-examples/
8.Widger stainless steel seedling tool. Terroir Seeds, Underwood Gardens. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://store.underwoodgardens.com/Widger-Stainless-Steel-Seedling-Tool/productinfo/T1095/
9.Xiao, H., McCurdy, S. A., Stoecklin-Marois, M., Li, C.-S., & Schenker, M. (2012). Agricultural work and chronic musculoskeletal pain among Latino Farm Workers: The MICASA study. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 56(2) 216-225 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3593628/
10.YouTube. (2017). Cool Tool Speeds up Planting. YouTube. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDVr6X_jfh8.