Nearly 100 million seedlings are covered with snow in the outdoor cultivation plots at SCA NorrPlant, waiting to be ready for delivery as spring approaches. All the seedlings are monitored closely through extensive sampling. SCA NorrPlant has a new, unique website where you can graphically view the status of all seedlings.
"It’s like a childcare clinic for seedlings. It helps us to access information about the seedlings for comparison with crops in earlier years so that we see that they are growing as they should," explains Oskar Skogström, biologist at SCA NorrPlant. "In addition, we can more easily decide on what outdoor plot of land to prepare for delivery of seedlings to the forest."
"We take about 2,500 samplings per year, each containing a sample of about 20 seedlings. Previously, we stored all measurement data in a database that, unfortunately, was not easy to use. Instead, we wanted an easily accessible tool whereby in an overall perspective the seedling measurement values could be visualised," says Oscar.
The solution came in the form of Erik Strömberg who was slated to complete his graduate exam project in computer technology at the Mid-Sweden University.
"Under assignment to us, Erik began in autumn 2009 to build a website with an underlying database. The website was completed this past autumn and on it we can see all outdoor cultivation plots and greenhouses at Bogrundet and Wifstamon. By clicking on a specific cultivation plot, we access information about the individual seedling batch’s status," says Oscar.
"We can see the number of seedlings, source, which of the four seedling batches it involves and in what type of plant box the seedlings are planted. Next we can choose to see more detail about a certain seedling batch, enabling us to access all the measurement data we collected in the lab. This includes information about the seedling’s root weight, sprout weight and height, stem dimensions and the amount of various nutrients in the seedling. We analyse the nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium calcium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper contents."
Root weight is particularly interesting, since this determines whether the seedling is ready for delivery to the forest.
"Previously, we manually selected a cultivation plot that was to be culled for delivery. However, now that we can view historical data about previous seedling batches via the website, we can also determine the root weight one and a half weeks in the future. As a result, we can easily see where we have the seedlings that are most suitable for delivery and more quickly decide on which cultivation plot to cull for future deliveries," relates Oscar. "Quite simply, we have more reliable facts about the seedlings."
The website also features delivery reports and statistics. In addition, the buyers of the seedlings can access information about their delivery.
"We are unique among Swedish nurseries to have such a careful follow-up of the seedlings. "
"For example, if a customer has problems with the seedlings, we can retrieve information about where the seedlings were taken, which transport firm delivered them as well as certain measurement values for the seedlings," says Oscar.
"We are unique among Swedish nurseries to have such a careful follow-up of the seedlings. Thanks to the website, we now have an easy tool in which all seedling information is gathered in one place. All personnel can use the page and, for example, enter comments if they have noticed something in the cultivation plots and greenhouses that would be interesting for others to know about."
"We are unique among Swedish nurseries to have such a careful follow-up of the seedlings."
