Under the BX1 system plug trays filled with media replaces the soil-filled polybags for the entire pre-nursery stage. This novel system confers several clear advantages over the conventional system with regard to cost, labour, logistics and use of resources such as water and soil.


Advantages of the BX1 System
Conventional system
BX1 system
Space requirement
Density: 100 seedlings/m2
Density: 325 seedlings/m2
Media filling rate
1,000 bags/man-day

10,000 cells/man-day

Sowing rate
2,500 seeds/man-day

5,000 seeds/man-day

Use of water
2 times/day
Top up 2 times/week
Weed problem

Big problem

Little or no problem

Load per lorry
3,000 seedlings/3 ton lorry
20,000 seedlings/3 ton lorry
Use of fertiliser
Laborious and can be difficult to apply, also wasteful

Easily and precisely applied with minimal wastage

Use of pesticides
Residual effect tends to be short due to frequent watering

Protection from rain and absence of overhead irrigation give better residual effect when pesticides applied

Transplanting rate
Approximately 10 seedlings/man-hour

80 seedlings/man-hour

Phytosanitary concern
Only bare-root seedlings acceptable by plant quarantine authorities
Seedlings with roots and media likely to be accepted by plant quarantine authorities

 

Pictorial Summary of BX1 System For Oil Palm

  • Supplies and technical support for BX1 system
  • Seedling-raising service for oil palm and Mucuna

Vetiver Seedling l Oil Palm Seedling