Quality and Field Growth Characteristics of Hydroponically Grown Long‐Mat Seedlings

Abstract

Looming labor shortages and lower efficiency demand a shift from the cultivation of seedlings via the traditional nutritive soil method (CK) to hydroponically grown long‐mat seedlings (HLMS), a new method of raising rice (Oriza sativa L.) seedlings. This study was conducted to investigate the seedling quality and field growth characteristics of HLMS. We examined the effect of HLMS on seedling quality, mechanical transplantation quality, field growth characteristics, yield and benefit/cost ratio compared with those of CK (as a control). A widely grown conventional japonica rice cultivar (Wuyunjing24) and an indica hybrid rice cultivar (6Liangyou9368) were used as test material. The HLMS and CK showed no significant differences in weight/height ratio, seedling emergence rate, N content of leaves or antioxidant enzyme activities after transplantation; however, HLMS exhibited a more vigorous root system, a significantly decreased leaf area index and an extended transplantation period. The mechanical transplantation quality of HLMS was similar to that of CK but showed a significantly improved force of root entanglement. Compared with CK, the dry matter accumulation of HLMS differed quite low at the early field growth stage, whereas increased rapidly at the late growth stage. The yield and benefit/cost ratio of HLMS were equivalent or superior to those of CK. Briefly, the seedling quality of HLMS was better than that of the control, and its mechanical transplantation quality was comparable to that of the CK, enabling high‐yield and high‐efficiency rice production.Core Ideas Hydroponically grown long‐mat rice seedlings is a novel seedling cultivation method that reduces labor costs and improves efficiency. The force of root entanglement of hydroponically grown long‐mat rice seedlings was significantly improved. The yield and benefit/cost ratio of hydroponically grown long‐mat rice seedlings were equivalent or superior to those of the control.