Seedling Quality and Early Growth after the Transplanting of Tomato Seedlings Grown using Different Production Methods

초록

To assess the feasibility of using plant-factory-produced seedlings for vegetable production, this study compared the seedling quality and early growth of tomato seedlings grown in a nursery greenhouse (GH seedlings), serving as the control group; a plant factory and then a nursery (PG seedlings); and a plant factory (PF seedlings). Seedlings from all treatments were then transplanted in a greenhouse and all were grown together. The average daily temperatures in the plant factory and nursery greenhouse were similar, but the difference between day and night was more pronounced in the nursery greenhouse. The average daily relative humidity was higher in the plant factory. The relative growth rate was highest for the PF seedlings, but the compactness and the Dickson quality index were highest in the PG seedlings. Regarding the belowground characteristics, the number of roots was greatest in the PF seedlings, but the root surface area, average root length, and quantity of fine roots were best in the PG seedlings. In terms of chlorophyll fluorescence, the Fv/Fm ratio showed normal values ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 across all treatments. However, the Pi_Abs, ABS/RC, TRo/RC, and ETO/RC parameters indicated that the PF seedlings experienced more compared to the seedlings from the other treatments. Plant heights were significantly different among the treatments immediately after transplanting, but by week 6, differences among the treatments became insignificant for most indices. Though not treated with growth regulators, the PG seedlings exhibited robust seedling quality without overgrowth, good root establishment, and good growth trends similar to those of the GH seedlings after transplanting. Therefore, this study determined that seedlings cultivated up to the temporary planting stage in a PFAL and then cultivated in a greenhouse until transplanting exhibit excellent seedling quality, root establishment, and growth after transplanting, making them suitable for commercial seedling production.

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