Sterilization of nursery bed

• It is done to take care of weed seeds, soil borne pathogens, eggs and young ones of insect-pest, thus to protect the young plants.
• It can be done in two ways;

a. Rabbing method

• It is the process of burning the trashes, weeds or any organic refuse on the soil surface.
• 15-20 cm thick layer of leaves, weeds or paddy straw is uniformly spread over the soil surface and then it is burnt.
• It burns the emerging weeds, insect pests and also improves physical properties of soil.

b. Chemical method

• Application of 2% Formalin solution or Formaldehyde controls damping off of seedlings.
• Drenching with chloropyriphus 20%EC @ 2 ml/litre of water one day before sowing per 10m2 bed is needed.
• Sometimes, Bordeaux mixture, Chloropicrin Dichloropropane, Methyl Bromide, Calcium Cynamide can also be used as fumigants or herbicides.