Hardening Area In-charge in a Tissue Culture Lab Nursery

Job Purpose:

To manage and supervise the hardening (acclimatization) phase of tissue-cultured plants, ensuring optimal survival, growth, and quality of plantlets transitioning from sterile lab conditions to natural environments.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Hardening Process Management

• Oversee the gradual acclimatization of in vitro plantlets to ex vitro conditions.
• Ensure environmental parameters such as humidity, light intensity, temperature, and air flow are maintained appropriately.
• Plan and execute phased exposure of plantlets to external conditions (greenhouse, shade net, open area).
• Monitor and maintain substrate/media used in primary and secondary hardening (e.g., cocopeat, vermiculite, etc.).

2. Supervision and Labor Management

• Lead and supervise the nursery staff assigned to the hardening area.
• Train workers on proper handling, transplanting, irrigation, and disease/pest monitoring techniques.
• Ensure daily operations are running smoothly and efficiently.

3. Plant Health and Quality Control

• Regularly inspect plantlets for signs of stress, disease, or nutrient deficiency.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
• Coordinate with plant pathologists or lab technicians for diagnosis and treatment plans.

4. Inventory and Documentation

• Maintain records of plant batches received from the tissue culture lab.
• Track survival rates, losses, growth stages, and output for each batch.
• Document daily activities, environmental data, inputs used, and plant performance.

5. Resource Management

• Ensure availability and proper usage of inputs like pots, trays, substrates, fertilizers, and irrigation systems.
• Monitor usage of water and nutrients, and maintain irrigation infrastructure.
• Coordinate with procurement team for timely replenishment of stock.

6. Facility Maintenance

• Maintain cleanliness and order in the hardening facility.
• Conduct routine maintenance of greenhouse/shade structures and equipment.
• Ensure adherence to biosafety and hygiene protocols.

7. Coordination and Reporting

• Liaise with lab supervisors and field managers for production planning.
• Prepare weekly/monthly reports on plantlet status, survival rates, and batch progress.
• Provide feedback to the tissue culture team regarding the quality and performance of plantlets.

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Knowledge of plant physiology, tissue culture, and nursery management.
• Hands-on experience in greenhouse and shade net management.
• Good understanding of plant disease and pest management.
• Leadership and team management skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Botany, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 3–5 years of experience in a nursery or tissue culture hardening environment.
• Experience with commercial plant propagation or micropropagation preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Primarily outdoor/greenhouse-based work with exposure to humidity and variable temperatures.
• May involve physical tasks like lifting trays, watering, or moving plants.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person