What is meant by sowing? What are the various methods of sowing the seeds?

Sowing means placing seeds in soil to start germination. Success needs good seed, correct depth, proper spacing, and suitable conditions. Common methods: broadcasting (scatter), drilling (rows with a seed drill), dibbling (manual holes), sowing behind a plough (drop into furrows), and transplanting (move nursery seedlings to the field).

Methods of Sowing

1) Broadcasting

• What: Seeds scattered by hand or machine over the whole field.
• Use: Small seeds; when exact spacing isn’t critical.
• Pros: Fast, simple.
• Cons: Higher seed rate, uneven stand.

2) Drilling

• What: Seeds placed in rows at set depth and spacing with a seed drill.
• Use: Crops needing uniform rows.
• Pros: Precise placement, better germination and growth.

3) Dibbling

• What: Seeds put manually into holes at fixed intervals and depths.
• Use: Larger seeds; when accuracy matters.
• Pros: Very precise placement.

4) Sowing behind a plough

• What: Seeds dropped into furrows opened by a plough.
• Use: Traditional, direct placement into soil.
• Pros: Simple field operation.

5) Transplanting

• What: Raise seedlings in a nursery, then move to the main field.
• Use: Rice, tomato, chilli, etc.
• Pros: Better establishment, earlier and more uniform maturity.