The purpose of the process screen is to provide detail on quality seed production using the hydroponic system. This section provides a high-level overview of the hydroponic system, multi-generation seed production in screenhouse and in-field production, and seed quality management. You will also be introduced to harvest and post-harvest activities.
Purpose
Provide detail on quality seed production using the hydroponic system.
Key Questions
What are the best management practices for fertilization in a hydroponic system?
What is the sequence and timing of seed production activities?
The most common form of soilless culture is hydroponics. It consists of growing plants in a well aerated substrate with high water retention and frequent circulation of a water and nutrient solution to meet the needs of the plants. The substrates frequently used for this method of production are Rockwool, coconut fiber, expanded clay balls, sphagnum peat moss, and perlite is sometimes added to aerate the substrate.
This section provides detail on seed yam production in hydroponics. A production calendar is provided to help you with the timing of planting and harvesting of seed yam over four generations. It is recommended you download the Seed Yam Production in Hydroponics Guide, which provides information on growing seed yam in hydroponics and gives recommendations for fertigation.
The YIIFSWA program introduced new propagation methods for yam, and many of the certification parameters were unsuitable for these new methods. The program helped to develop new procedures to certify seed yam from the new propagation methods.
It is crucial for seed entrepreneurs to consider a number of factors for adequate planning for harvest and determination of the suitable number of production cycles. We review best practices in this section.
