Tools to Transplant Seedlings
1.8 - Tools to transplant seedlings
Selena Caltagirone, University of Guelph, Canada
Related video(s): Rice transplanting (Source: Access Agriculture)
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. 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 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 from having to work in awkward positions, as well as hip and knee pain from forcing farmers to kneel, bend, and assume uncomfortable postures (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, three types of transplanting tools are described, 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 into the tool so it can travel down the hollow tube into the ground, pull the tool out of the 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 pain or discomfort (BCC, n.d.). The Pottiputki tool is tall and allows the farmer to stand while using it rather than bend down, which can reduce back and knee problems. The tool is also lightweight (2.92 kg) and comfortable, making it possible for women and people of different strengths to use it for hours (BCC, n.d.). This tool can plant seedlings of many crop types, has a sturdy construction, and increases the chances of seedling establishment success due to its mechanics, which leave the soil less compact (BCC, n.d.). The tool reduces farmer fatigue and makes it possible to transplant 40% more seedlings than manual transplanting 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 one using a microfinance loan and turn 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, about the size of a hand, is used by making an indentation in the soil with the end of the tool, picking up small seedlings with the correct end of the tool depending on seedling size, placing the seedlings in the hole, and covering them with soil (TerroirSeeds, n.d.). The tool has been shown to be helpful for multiple crops, including small radishes or beets (Burgon & Ball, 2022).
Benefits
The Widger seedling tool has numerous benefits. One end of the tool is smaller and curved perfectly to carry very small seedlings. The tool is strong and therefore not easily breakable; it fits into the average hand; the curved support helps prevent injuring fragile seedlings; and it is the ideal size for opening 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 needle gripper and the two-finger gripper. These tools are shown in Figures 3 and 4 below, respectively. The two types of grippers work very similarly 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 and benefit from a soft touch on the fingers, thanks to a polyurethane foam that reduces pain from continuous gripping (Jorg et al., 2021). The needle gripper, on the other hand, grasps seedlings with two needles, and the farmer can regulate the distance between the needles to fit the size of the seedlings being transplanted (Jorg et al., 2021). To use the grippers, one grips the handles with the fingers, inserts the tool into the soil over the seedling, and pushes the handles together to grip the seedling for transplanting (Jorg et al., 2021).
Benefits:
Gripper tools for vegetable transplanting have many benefits. As with the previous tools discussed, the grippers transplant seedlings at a faster rate than traditional methods, saving farmers labour time and money (Jorg et al., 2021). In one study, farmers tested both gripper tools on four different vegetable crops for their ability to transplant seedlings and the subsequent success of the seedlings (Jorg et al., 2021). Both grippers had great success lifting seedlings from their trays; 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 Pottiputki planting tool is a good tool overall for transplanting 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) (Bare Mountain Farm, 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-finger 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 seedlings, the soil frequently detached from the roots and sometimes shattered as the tool lifted the seedlings (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 save 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 the Pottiputki planting tool
Where to buy the Pottiputki planting tool
References
1. Bare Mountain Farm. (2017). Pottiputki - great planting tool. Retrieved September 29, 2022. www.baremtnfarm.com
2. BAP Equipment. (n.d.). Pottiputki planting tool. BAP Equipment Ltd. Retrieved September 29, 2022. Link
3. BCC. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2022. Link
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. DOI
5. Burgon and Ball. (2022). Seedling widger. Burgon and Ball company website. Retrieved September 29, 2022. Link
6. Walmart. (n.d.). Garosa seedling transplanter. Walmart Canada. Retrieved September 29, 2022. Link
7. Volente, G. (2021, March 23). Transplanting plants: Reasons, methods, & examples. Greenhouse Today. Retrieved December 2, 2022. Link
8. Widger stainless steel seedling tool. Terroir Seeds, Underwood Gardens. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2022. Link
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. Link
10. YouTube. (2017). Cool tool speeds up planting. Retrieved September 29, 2022. Link