IN order to obtain good yields, it is necessary to have healthy plants. The only way to ensure that farmers have healthy plants is to produce quality seedlings. The following are the basic guidelines to be followed for producing vegetable seedlings.

Construction of a seedbox
A seedbox 45*30*7.5 cm in dimension is very convenient. In commercial farms, seedbeds 1m*5m are usually prepared in an area fully exposed to sunlight.

Soil
A friable and fertile soil is the best medium for starting seedlings. One part sand, one part compost or fully rotted pen manure and one part ordinary garden soil are mixed. This potting mixture can be used for seedlings prepared in a seedbed, seedbox or for containerised transplants.
The sand will provide drainage and irrigation; the compost will improve the soil texture and increase its fertility.

Soil treatment
As a precaution against pre and post-emergence damping off, the seed box/bed should be drenched with Rizolex at a rate of one to two tablespoon (15-30 grams) per gallon or Banrot at one to two teaspoon (5-10 grams) per gallon before planting the seeds.
Irrigate immediately after applying the drench with an equal amount of water. Allow one week between treating and sowing seeds. The seeds should not be broadcasted but sown thinly in furrows.

Seed treatment
Mix two to four grams Rizolex to one-kilogram seed before planting to prevent soil-borne diseases.

Seeding rate
Hot peppers are seeded 1-2 kilogram per harvest with one gram weighing approximately 250 seeds/grams. The seeds should not be broadcasted but should be sown thinly on shallow furrows. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost to prevent seed exposure when watering.

Shading and hardening
Shading should be provided to prevent the exposure of seedlings to the extremes of the environment, heat stress and flooding. Shading is important during the first 20-25 days after seeding. Harden seedlings by restricting water and removing shade protection starting 4-7 days before transplanting—this is to prevent transplanting shock.

Management
The seed box should be watered moderately daily so as to provide sufficient moisture for the seeds to germinate within 10 days after sowing. Restrict watering to once every two days during the hardening phase.