Scientific greenhouse seedling cultivation to bring new year harvest

A farmer observes seedlings. [Photo by Cheng Shuang for chinadaily.com.cn]

Just after Spring Festival, the Yumiao base in Dingtao district, Heze city, Shandong province entered farming season, nurturing, managing, and selling seedlings.

The greenhouse of the Heyan seedling planting cooperative located in Binhe subdistrict, Dingtao district is filled with beds of vibrant celery and tomato seedlings. Dozens of workers are skillfully cutting, grafting, sorting, potting, and packaging the seedlings, meticulously caring for this year's first batch of seedlings.

"We have automated watering, and even the soil for nurturing seedlings is imported. As a result, the quality of the seedlings, including their resistance and ability to withstand diseases, has greatly improved. They can be brought to market about half a month earlier than before, increasing the planting benefits," said Song Chenglin, the person in charge of the Heyan seedling planting cooperative.

In recent years, Dingtao district has helped farmers grow greenhouse melons and vegetables through measures like demonstrations and technology tracking services. They have developed "order-based cooperative seedling cultivation", promoting the professionalized production of seedlings and helping farmers increase production and income. (Edited by Huang Junyao)