Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Cebu Province

LEARNER’S HOME TASK IN TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD

EDUCATION

SELF-LEARNING HOME TASK (SLHT)

Subject Agri-Crop Grade 10 Quarter 3 Week 5

MELC: Perform post-planting care on newly transplanted seedlings.

Competency Code: TLE_AFAC9-12PV-IIIa-j-3

Name ____________________________ Section ___________ Date _______

School ____________________________ District: ___________________________

A. Readings/Discussions

Demonstrating care and management of seedlings

Care and management of seedlings

When seedlings are already growing, water them in the morning and not very late in the
afternoon. If two watering are necessary each day, they should done in the early morning and
mid-afternoon. Watering late in the afternoon causes the soil surface to remain moist
overnight, a condition favoring development of fungi causing root diseases particularly
damping-off.
 If the soil is not fertilized, a soluble fertilizer (ammonium sulfate) at the rate of one
tablespoon per gallon of water is gently drenched on the seedlings as a starter
solution. It is important that after applying the starter solution, fresh water must be
applied immediately to wash-off fertilizer residues adhered to the foliage which may
cause burning of the foliage (Bautista and Mabesa (1977).
 Expose the seedlings to the morning sun not later than eight o’clock every day. The
length of exposure depends upon the resistance of the seedlings to heat. First
exposure of seedlings to morning sun is one hour then extended every day until
whole day exposure. Exposure or hardening of seedlings is done a week before
transplanting to acclimatize them and to reduce stress during transplanting.

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  Protect the seedlings from excessive heat or strong rain by placing them under a
temporary shed, in the nursery, or in the greenhouse.
 If dumping-off develops, remove immediately the infected seedlings with the soil
surrounding them. Burn the disease infected seedlings and soil to avoid further spread
of the disease. To control dumping-off, apply fungicide on the affected areas.
Pricking of seedlings

In cases where seedlings in seed boxes or seed beds are thickly populated, pricking
must be done when the seedlings have at least two developed true leaves. This is done by
transferring individual seedling to another seed box, seed bed, seed tray, or individual plastic
bag. In pricking, use a dibbler or dibble in taking out the healthiest looking seedlings
underneath their roots while taking care not to damage the delicate roots. Hold the seedling
on their true leaves and place the root system in the hole previously prepared in the new
planting medium without curling their roots. Then press the soil firmly around the roots. Water
the new transplants gently and thoroughly.

A teacher of the Jones Rural School Students of the Jones Rural School Pricking Vegetables
Pricking seedlings in seedtrays seedlings in polyethylyne plastic bags.

Hardening of Seedlings

INGO (2005), explains that it is important to harden the seedlings before transplanting
them to the field. This is done by gradually exposing the seedlings one week before
transplanting. Seedlings raised under shaded areas should be exposed to full morning
sunlight for the first day. Then gradually increase the time of exposure in full sunlight each
day for a week until the seedlings could withstand full sunlight the whole day without wilting or
burning the leaves. Likewise, seedlings should also be protected from stray animals and
strong winds to prevent damage of the leaves and stems.

Bautista and Mabesa (1977) explained that hardening can be done in several ways
and should be started 7-10 days before transplanting. One way is to expose gradually the
seedlings to full sunlight and to withhold water to make the plant wilt temporarily but not
allowing it to lapse into a state of permanent wilting. Withholding of water slows plant growth
and causes physiological and morphological changes resulting to thicker, less succulent, and
harder plant tissues, hence less water is transpired. Another method of hardening recently
employed is pre-sowing hardening. In this method, the seeds are soaked in water and
removed 6 hours before the radicle emerged. Then they are air-dried for 48 hours before
sowing.

Thinning and Rogueing

Some crops possess small seeds that are difficult to broadcast in the field. They can
be sown along a shallow drill and later on excess seedlings can be pulled out leaving the
healthy seedlings about 5 cm apart. This is called thinning. Meanwhile, the process of pulling
out disease infected or damaged seedlings is called rogueing.

Thinning is the process of reducing the number of seedlings in the seed bed or seed
box. This should be done as follows:

 Moisten the seed box or seed bed a few hours before thinning.
 Remove the weak, unhealthy and poor-looking seedlings. Immediately press
back firmly the disturbed soil with hands.
 Throw the seedlings being pulled out or bury them into the soil.
Thinning accelerates the free circulation of air which makes the seedlings sturdier and
healthier. If the right amount or quality of seeds is sown evenly, there is no need for thinning.

B. Exercises

Exercise 1: (Discussion Points)

Direction: Answer the following questions comprehensively yet

concisely.

1. How do animals take care of their young? How about human beings?

Answer:
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2. How do we take good care of seedlings?

Answer:
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3. Have you raised some seedlings? How did they grow?

Answer:
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Exercise 2: (Work Me Out)

Direction: This time you are going to do something different from your previous
activities. For the mean time you will be working alone. Compose a short poem with
two (2) stanzas about the seedlings. Select your own title.

C. Assessment/Application/Outputs

Direction: Read and understand very well the questions. Select the best answer.

1. Pricking is a practice in seedling production to produce uniform size of seedlings.

 Which is not a practice in pricking?

a. Pricking is the transfer of seedlings to another seed box, seed bed, or

individual plastic bags.
b. Seedlings to be pricked are taken from a thinly populated seed box or
seed bed.
c. A dibble is used to separate individual seedlings in order not to damage
delicate roots.
d. Pricking is practiced when the seedlings have already two developed
true leaves.
2. Before seedlings are transplanted to their permanent places to continue their
growth and development they must be prepared to avoid stress in the open field.
What is the practice of exposing gradually the seedlings to sunlight to acclimatize
them?

a. Thinning b.Roguing c.Pricking d. Hardening

3. Which of the following is the factor which least affects the growth of vegetable
seedlings and transplants?
a. Soil requirements c. Water requirements
b. Nutrient requirements d. Climatic requirements
4. Which is not a practice of thinning?
a. Moisten the seed box or seed bed a few hours before thinning.
b. Throw the seedlings being pulled out or bury them into the soil.
c. Incorporate into the soil uprooted unhealthy and disease-infected
seedlings.
d. Remove the weak, unhealthy and poor-looking seedlings and press back
firmly the disturbed soil with hands immediately.
5. Which of the following should not be done in pricking?
a. Hold the seedling on their true leaves and place the root system in the
hole previously prepared in the new planting medium.
b. Set the seedlings even if the roots are curled.
c. Press the soil firmly around the roots after setting them.
d. Water the new transplants gently and thoroughly.
D. Suggested Enrichment/Reinforcement Activity/ies.
Directions:
What other activities must you do to maintain the growth of the seedlings? Write your
ideas in the big box and the reasons in the lines opposite each box.

1.
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3.

1.

Note: Use separate sheet if needed.

References:

Agricultural Crops Production NC I Competency Based Learning Materials

Technology and livelihood Education Horticulture NCII Grade 10
CBLM of Tech-Voc Schools. Perform Direct Planting and Transplanting. In: Produce
Vegetable Crops.

Prepared by: Edited by:

GERBE Y. RUBIO
Patao NHS-Bantayan II

Reviewed by:
VICTOR S. UNGOD
School Head

GUIDE

For the Teacher: Advise the students to read the reading and discussion portion before they attempt to answer
the practice exercises. Going through the parts sequentially will help them understand easily the topic.

For the Learner: Read through the self-learning home task from the first part to the last part. Doing so, will help
you understand better the topic.

For the Parent/Home Tutor: Assist your child and make sure that he/she reads the self-learning home task from
beginning to end to ensure proper understanding of the concepts.