MICROGREENS author - Manasa Akuthota

Microgreens:- 

 (A homestead vegitable option for food and Nutritional security )  

Microgreens...?????

Microgreens are vegetable greens harvested just after the cotyledon leaves have developed with one set of true leaves.

∆ 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 :-

1. Anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties

2. Reduce the constipation

3. Protects the body from harmful effects of free radicals.

4. Reduce the risk of eye diseases

5. Maintains the strong and healthy bones.

6. Promotes blood clotting.

7. 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:- 

1. 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.

2. Over crowding:- Too much seed will cause "damping off" it can be overcome by treating the media by "trichoderma".

3. Wrong sowing time:- some seeds will not germinate at very high or very low temperature.

4. Over soaking:- over soaking of seeds may results in dead seeds.