Seedling Quality, and Early Growth and Fruit Productivity after Transplanting of Squash as Affected by Plug Cell Size and Seedling Raising Period

Abstract

This research was conducted to figure out the optimal size of the plug cell and seedling raising period in 'Nongwoo' and 'Nonghyeop' cultivars. In the first experiment on effect of plug cell size on growth of squash, seedlings were transplanted into hydroponic cultivation beds at different growing stages: Those in 32-cell trays with 3-4 true leaves at 25 days after sowing, those in 50-cell trays with 2 true leaves at 15 days after sowing, those in 105-cell trays just before a true leaf development, and those in 162-cell trays with only cotyledons at 8 days after sowing. In the second experiment on effect of seedling raising period on growth of squash, it was conducted to have different sowing dates. But the same transplanting date, based on the results of Experiment 1, and compared the differences in growth and fruit productivity as affected by plug cell size in the same way with experiment 1 including the cultivars and environmental conditions. After setting the transplanting date in advance, the number of days for sowing were calculated back for each treatment. In the first experiment, plant height was the greatest in 105-cell trays followed by 162, 50 and 32-cell trays in both cultivars. The best fruit quality was found in different treatments depending on the cultivars, although it was the lowest in 32-cell trays in both cultivars. The fruit quality was not significantly different among those from cell sizes. Therefore, when raising seedlings in 105-cell trays, the period of raising seedlings can be shortened as compared with the conventional 32-cell trays, and this change could reduce the workforce required for growing and transplanting seedlings. In the second experiment, after transplanting, shoot height and leaf width in the first measurement in both cultivars were greater in the 32-cell treatment. However, the last measurement after four weeks showed no significant difference in plant height, but significantly greatest leaf width in the smallest cell treatment, even as compared with that in 32-cell treatment. In case of 'Nongwoo', length and weight of the first harvested fruit showed the highest values in the treatment of 105-cell trays. In case of 'Nonghyeop' the 162-cell treatment along with the 105-cell treatment showed greatest length and weight of the first fruits. From these results, zucchini plug seedlings can be raised in plug trays with reduced cell sizes than the conventional 32-cell trays with improved fruit productivity.

Development of Raising Seedling Technology for Veronica pyrethrina Nakai Using Plug Trays

“…5, 2021 seedlings to show shoot growth. However, Kim et al (2019) reported that smaller cell size leads to quicker root pruning after sowing, thereby moving up the time for planting, which as a result was effective in growth after planting. Hwang et al (2018) reported that silver grass for landscaping did not show good growth with smaller cells when raising seedlings in plug trays, but seedlings raised in small cells showed excellent growth about 3 months after planting.…”

Prediction of Growth and Quality of Chinese Cabbage Seedlings Cultivated in Different Plug Cell Sizes via Analysis of Image Data Using Multispectral Camera

“…Cabbage seedlings grown in plug trays with larger cell sizes had relatively better growth, and the seedlings with better growth led to increased productivity [40]. However, Kim et al [41] reported that zucchini seedlings grown in a 32-cell plug tray showed lower quality of the first harvested fruit than those grown in plug trays with 50, 105, and 163 cells. The optimal cell size in the plug tray should be determined carefully considering the seedling growth characteristics, cultivation area, period, and resources used during the nursery process.…”

Production of Grafted Vegetable Seedlings in the Republic of Korea: Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives

“…Selection of plug tray cell size is highly dependent on the crop species, grafting method, and seedling production period (Yu et al, 2002;Yaping and Diankui, 2005;Babaj et al, 2012;Kim et al, 2019). Also, commercial nurseries tend to use plug trays with more cells and smaller cell size to increase the number of plants produced, to decrease the space for seedling production and to reduce propagation costs per plant (Dufault and Waters, 1985;Oh et al, 2014).…”