Microgreens:-
(A homestead vegitable option for food and Nutritional security )
∆ size ranges from 5-6 cm
∆ older than "sprouts" and younger than "baby greens "
∆ it can be easily grown in urban and peri urban areas where land is a limiting factor.
∆ short growth cycle,grown with or without soil, fertilizers ,and pesticides.
∆ concentrated with bioactive compounds like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Different stages of a plant :-
Nutritional importance of microgreens :-
∆ According to the United States Department of AgricultureTrusted Source (USDA), 100 grams (g) of kale microgreens provides 29 calories and also contains "calcium"also.
∆ phytonutrient levels decreases according to growth stages of the plant and decrease from the seedling to fully developed stage .
∆ seven days after germination,young lettuce seedlings had the highest total "phenolic concentration" and "antioxidant capacity" in comparison to older leaves.
∆ In general, microgreens contained considerably higher levels of vitamins and carotenoids—about"five times greater"than their mature plant counterparts
∆ Among the 25 microgreens tested, red cabbage, cilantro, garnet amaranth, and green daikon radish had the highest concentrations of vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin K, and vitamin E, respectively.
∆ so "microgreens = functional foods ".
Health benefits :-
Anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties
Reduce the constipation
Protects the body from harmful effects of free radicals.
Reduce the risk of eye diseases
Maintains the strong and healthy bones.
Promotes blood clotting.
Anti-cancer, Anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Some important vegitable crops as microgreens:
1.Red amaranthus:-Flavour is sweet and tangy, Gorgeous mangent leaves .vit-A,C,K and minerals like Ca,Fe are present.
2.Beetroot:- Attractive, deep reddish metallic purple leaves . Delicious, mild spinach like flavour. Rich in vit-A, B, K.
3.Broccoli:- Highly nutritious.Rich in vit-A, C, minerals-Ca, Fe, protein and chlorophyll. Stimulate the immune system. Broccoli is a cruciferous (sulfur-containing) powerhouse.
4.cress:Traditional microgreen.finely curled leaves and a peppery flavour. Good source of vitamin A, C and sulphur. Rich in fibre.
5.Dill:-Fine, feathery foliage and a great flavour. Goes well with eggs, cucumbers, cheese, and cabbage
6.fenugreek:- High in protein, vit- A, E, B and minerals. Stimulate appetite .Effective against anaemia and fatigue.
7.kale:- Mild cabbage like flavour .known to be a vitamin C powerhouse. Rich in anti-oxidants - prevent macula degeneration.
8.Red cabbage:- Red purple microgreen, mild sweet cabbage flavour. Rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, K and minerals-Ca, Mg and chlorophyll. Stimulate immune system
Cultivation of microgreens…!!!!
Materials:-
Flat tray with good drainage
Media:
Coco peat, Vermiculite, perlite, coconut coir.
Fill the tray with moist media about 2-3 cm deep.
Seed sowing :-
Soak the seeds for 6-8 hours .
Seeding - Broadcast or sprinkle the seeds on top of the media and press lightly.
Covered with paper towel/ Vermiculite/ Cocopeat. Sowing
Practices:-
Watering by fine spray
High light conditions with low humidity and good air circulation.
Requires 12 and 16 hours of light and 18–24 C° temperature.
Nutritional requirement :-
No need much fertilizer.
Diluted organic nutrients e.g.seaweed spraying will improve the nutrient levels in the microgreens.
Germination paper dipping into fertilizer if grown without media .
Harvesting:-
∆ Appearance of first set of true leaves.
∆ cutting above from the media surface.
∆ packing without roots.
∆ some times will regrow and can be cut several times.
∆ Invert the media,top it up with a bit of fresh media and replant.
Post harvest management :-
Mm∆ Microgreens have a short shelf life.hence require better methods of storing and transporting.
∆ commercial microgreens are more often stored in plastic camshell containers and refrigeration @ 2.5-3.5°C upto 7days.
∆ camshell containers are good for transportation of micro greens and bio degradable camshell containers also available.
.
Microgreens trouble shooting:-
Weak, skinny microgreens:-The plants need more light or feeding .move in stronger liight or try spraying with a dilute solution like sea weed plant starter.
Over crowding:- Too much seed will cause "damping off" it can be overcome by treating the media by "trichoderma".
Wrong sowing time:- some seeds will not germinate at very high or very low temperature.
Over soaking:- over soaking of seeds may results in dead seeds.
Great article keep it up
ReplyDeleteGreat information
ReplyDelete