Hamyang County Holds On-Site Briefing on Open-Field Seedling Technology for Mechanical Onion Transplanting

Expanding Seedling Cultivation Options Tailored to Farmers
Laying the Foundation for the Widespread Adoption of Mechanical Transplanting

Hamyang County in South Gyeongsang Province and the Rural Development Administration announced on the 23rd that they held an "On-Site Briefing Session for Open-Field Seedling Technology for Mechanical Onion Transplanting" in the Handeul area (Yongpyeong-ri, Hamyang-eup).

This briefing session was organized to promote the expansion of open-field seedling technology suitable for mechanical transplanting, thereby broadening the range of seedling cultivation methods available to farmers and encouraging the wider adoption of mechanical onion transplanting.

More than 100 participants attended the event, including Seo Hyowon, Deputy Director of the Rural Development Administration, the Director of the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, representatives from the Gyeongnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Hamyang County officials, and local onion growers. At the site, the results of empirical research on open-field seedling cultivation for mechanical onion transplanting were released.

First On-Site Briefing Session for Open-Field Seedling Technology for Mechanical Onion Transplanting in Hamyang County.

The Rural Development Administration demonstrated technologies for establishing open-field seedling beds, such as soil sterilization, installation of root growth inhibition nets, and soil covering. They also presented findings on the effectiveness of different covering materials in preventing seedling loss and the differences in seedling quality depending on tray sowing methods. As a result, they confirmed the potential of the open-field seedling model, which can produce uniform and healthy seedlings at a lower cost compared to greenhouse seedling cultivation.

During the event, demonstrations of equipment for open-field seedling cultivation, such as ridge levelers and tray pressers, were also conducted. These devices are expected to increase seedling establishment rates by flattening ridges and ensuring close contact of the soil with the seedlings. They are also anticipated to reduce labor and contribute to quality uniformity by replacing manual work.

Seo Hyowon, Deputy Director of the Rural Development Administration, stated, "Transplanting onion seedlings is one of the least mechanized processes in onion cultivation. To increase mechanization, it is essential to first produce uniform and robust onion seedlings. Based on the empirical results, we will quickly distribute seedling cultivation guidelines (manuals) to the field."

A county official commented, "The open-field seedling technology confirmed through this on-site briefing session will reduce the burden of facility investment for farmers and serve as an important turning point for the expansion of mechanical onion transplanting. Going forward, the county will actively cooperate with the Rural Development Administration to further disseminate open-field seedling technology."