Growth and Nutrient Contents of Tomato Plug Seedlings as Influenced by Root Substrate Composition and Pre-planting Fertilizer Level

摘要

This research was conducted to determine the effect of root substrate formulations and pre-planting fertilizer levels on growth and nutrient contents of tomato 'Zuiko No. 102' seedlings grown in 72-cell plug trays. Three root substrates, coir+perlite (8:2, v/v, CP), peatmoss+perlite (8:2, v/v, PP) and coir+peatmoss+perlite (4:4:2, v/v/v, CPP), had three pre-planting fertilizer levels such as 0.5x. 1.0x and 2.0x. Elevated pre-planting fertilizer levels in the three root substrates increased plant height, fresh weight and dry weights. The fresh and dry weights in the 2.0x treatment in CP, PP and CPP substrates at 35 days after sowing were 1.97 g and 180 mg, 2.84 g and 245 mg, and 2.97 g and 235 mg, respectively. In comparison of the three root substrates containing equal amounts of pre-planting fertilizers, crop also increased the fresh and dry weights at 70 days after sowing. The Seedlings grown in CPP showed the greatest dry weight followed by those in PP and CP. Elevated pi-c-planting, fertilizer levels resulted in increase of tissue K, Ca and Mg contents and decrease of tissue Fe and Mn contents at 35 days after showing in all substrates. However, elevated pre-planting levels decreased tissue P content in CP and CPP but increased that in PP. Elevated pre-plannting fertilizer levels increased tissue Ca and Mg contents and decreased tissue Fe and Mn contents in all substrates at 70 clays alter sowing. Elevated pre-planting Fertilizer levels did not affect tissue K content in PP at 70 days aftersowing.