Abstract
The use of seedling grafts has been increasingly popular in the production of fruit vegetables in Korea. Superior scion cultivars grafted on seedling rootstocks tolerant to soil-borne diseases often results in higher crop yield and quality. For the production of healthy grafted transplants, seedlings have to be grown under the most favorable cultural conditions. Substrate composition and property as well as mineral nutrition play an important role. Various substrates containing peatmoss, perlite, vermiculite, and coir-dust have been tested for their influence on seedling growth. In the chemical properties of substrates investigated just before grafting and after formation of grafted union, the ECs in 4 substrates rose as the pre-plant fertilizer level was elevated. The ECs in peatmoss containing substrates were lower than those in coir dust containing substrates when all substrates contained equal amount of pre-plant fertilizers. The ECs in substrates containing vermiculite were higher than those in perlite. In all substrates, the elevation of pre-plant fertilizer levels resulted in the increase in NO3 −-N and K+ concentrations and decrease in Na+ concentration. The recommended EC levels of substrates for the raising of plug seedlings of bedding plants are applicable to fruit vegetables when the seedlings are grown in peatmoss + perlite (PP) substrate. But those in peatmoss + vermiculite (PV), coir-dust + perlite (CP) and coir-dust + vermiculite (CV) substrates should be altered based on the kinds and rates of substrate components. In case of crops, the water melon rootstock ‘Cham Bak’ (Lagenaria siceraria Standl), showed the stronger salt tolerance than cucumber rootstock ‘Heukjong Hobak’ (Cucurbita ficifolia) indicating that pre-or post-plant fertilizer levels should be varied based on the kinds of crops grown. The peppers grew well in PP and PV substrates rather than CP or CV substrates in before or after grafting. This also implies that the components of substrates should be changed based on the specific crops.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Literature Cited
Arenas, M. and C.S. Varina. 2002. Coir as an alternative to peat in media for tomato transplant production. HortScience 37:309–312.
Argo, W.R. 1998. Root medium chemical properties. HortTechnology 8:486–494.
Bunt, A.C. 1988. Media and mixes for container grown plants. Unwin Hyman, London.
Cataldo, D.A., M. Haren, L.E. Schrader, and V.L. Young. 1975. Rapid colorimetric determination of nitrate in plant tissue by nitration of salicylic acid. Commun. Soil. Sci. Plant Anal. 6:71–80.
Choi, J.M., H.J. Chung, and J.S. Choi. 2000. Physico chemical properties of organic and inorganic materials used as container media. Kor. J. Hort. Sci. Technol. 18:529–535.
Choi, J.M., J.W. Ahn, and J.H. Ku. 2007. Growth and nutrient contents of hot pepper plug seedlings as influenced by pre-planting fertilizer levels and leaching fraction. Acta Hort. 747:263–270.
Fonteno, W.C., D.K. Cassel, and R.A. Larson. 1981. Physical properties of three container media and their effect on poinsettia growth. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 106:736–741.
Ko, G.D., Y.A. Jang, S.K. Lee, J.W. Lee, S.Y. Kim, J.H. Moon, and H.K. Yoon. 2008. Current status and prospective of seedling production in Korea, p. 1–26. In: Korean Research Group of Seedling Production (ed.). Problems and counter plan of seedling production. Proc. Conf. Greenhouse Seedling Production. June 19, 2008. Daejeon, Korea.
Koranski, D.S. 1990. Sorting the relationship between water quality, feeding program and media components, p. 78–82. In: D. Hamrick (ed.). Growertalks on Plugs. Ball Publishing, Batavia, IL.
Ku, C.S.M. and D.R. Hershey. 1991. Leachate electrical conductivity and growth of potted poinsettia with leaching fractions of 0 to 0.4. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 116:802–806.
Lee, J.M. 1994. Cultivation of grafted vegetables I. Current status, grafting methods, and benefits. HortScience 29:235–239.
Lee, S.K. 2000. Seedling growth as influenced by kinds of scion plants and grafting methods, p. 73–90. In: Korean Research Group of Greenhouse Production (ed.). Problems and counter plan of seedling production. Proc. Conf. Greenhouse Plant Production. April 14–15, 2000. Daejeon, Korea.
Nelson, P.V. 2003. Greenhouse operation and management. 6th ed. Prentice Hall, NJ.
Nelson, P.V., J.S. Hwang, W.C. Fonteno, and D.A. Bailey. 1996. Fertilizing for perfect plugs, p. 86–89. In: D. Hamrick (ed.). Grower Talks on Plugs II. Ball Publishing, Batavia, IL.
Styer, R.C. and D.S. Koranski. 1997. Plug & transplant production: a grower’s guide. Ball Publishing. Batavia, IL. p. 101–128, 193–228.
Warncke, P.D. 1986. Analyzing greenhouse growth media by the saturation extraction method. HortScience 211:223–225.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Choi, J.M., Lee, C.W. & Chun, JP. Optimization of substrate formulation and mineral nutrition during the production of vegetable seedling grafts. Hortic. Environ. Biotechnol. 53, 212–221 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-012-0108-1
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-012-0108-1