Seedling Production System Research Articles

Growing Vigorous Potato Seedlings in Plug Trays

AbstractRaising vigorous and healthy potato seedlings from hybrid true potato seeds (TPS) under nursery conditions is critical for ease of field transplanting and seedling crop establishment as well as for a productive seed or ware crop. The use of plugs in seedling production systems is an important technique utilised to ease transplanting of seedlings and refine seedling production in seedling nurseries. While holding multiple advantages over other transplant production systems, multiple factors still influence the success of seedling production in plug trays. In this study, we explore the effects of substrate properties, type and volume; watering intervals; and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels in nutrient solution on seedling vigour attributes in potato seedlings grown in plug trays under climate room conditions. The choice of substrate strongly influenced seedling attributes with more favourable performance in substrates with higher water holding capacity. Increasing plug volume also enhanced seedling attributes including dry biomass, leaf area and root to shoot ratios such that seedling performance was best in plug volumes > 22.5 cm3. A watering schedule with a high frequency was more favourable considering that longer intervals between watering events led to significant declines in seedling attributes. While the effects of increased P in solution were not conclusive, depending on genotype, increasing N in solution led to enhanced seedling attributes, with a nutrient sufficiency met at 200 mg L−1 N in solution. These findings further contribute to the current knowledge on factors influencing success in seedling production of potato seedlings developed from hybrid true potato seeds.

Global Marine Ranching Research: Progress and Trends through Bibliometric Analysis

With the increasing prominence of pollution issues in offshore waters, marine ranching plays a crucial role in restoring marine ecosystems and ensuring the sustainable use of fishery resources. This paper provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global marine ranching research. The study indicates that policy is the primary driver of the industry's development. It also reveals that the low level of interconnectivity between China and other major developing countries, as well as cooperation between governmental and research institutions in the area of marine ranching. In light of these considerations, prospective strategies for the future evolution of marine ranching can be formulated with a view to optimising and enhancing the seedling production system, and to forecasting changes in marine ranching in conjunction with the application of modern computing techniques and the field of remote sensing.

Comparison of Seedling Quality of Cucumber Seedlings and Growth and Production after Transplanting according to Differences in Seedling Production Systems

Comparison of Seedling Quality of Cucumber Seedlings and Growth and Production after Transplanting according to Differences in Seedling Production Systems

Seed biometry, growth, and seedling development of Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult. in substrates

The desert rose (Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult.) is a plant that has been widely used for garden ornamentation, holding significant importance in the landscaping and gardening market. Thus, establishing a way to perform biometric analysis and a seedling production system that offers significant utilization of water and available materials for substrate composition in each region is crucial for propagation and the quality of these plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate biometric aspects and investigate the influence of different substrates on the physiological potential of seeds and the initial growth of desert rose seedlings. This study was conducted at the Vitrine do Verde plant store located on Rodovia Dr. Ib Gatto Marinho Falcão, AL 101 south - Barra Nova, Marechal Deodoro – AL (9°43'31.2"S 35°49'46.6"W), with A. obesum seedlings produced from seeds. This study identified crucial points for seedling growth and development, providing information that allowed optimizing the production system with reduced costs. It was observed that among the substrates used, the use of treatment T3 composed of decomposed rice husk (55%) + carbonized rice husk (15%) + topsoil (15%) + peanut shell (15%) is preferable, as it proved to be efficient in the analyzed parameters. However, it is worth noting that further studies are necessary to increase knowledge and facilitate the cultivation of this highly appreciated crop.

Initial seedling development of Tectona grandis L. f. under different substrates and shading level

The management of nurseries poses a delicate task within a forest seedling production system, where quality is paramount for successful cultivation. Seedlings serve as the initiation point in the production process, exerting subsequent impacts on plant performance in the field. This study aimed to evaluate the production of Tectona grandis seedlings under varying shading levels and substrates. Six shading levels (0%, 18%, 35%, 50%, 70%, and 80%) and two substrates (Vivatto Slim Plus® and 50% Vivatto Slim Plus® + 50% sand) were stipulated. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications of ten plants; each shading level was considered as one experiment. Seedling emergence, stem diameter, length of the largest root, height of aerial part, total length, fresh and dry biomass of aerial part and root systems, total dry biomass, and Dickson's quality index were evaluated. Direct exposure to sunlight negatively impacts the development of Tectona grandis seedlings, with 18% shading recommended. The commercial substrate Vivatto Slim Plus® proved suitable for the production of higher-quality seedlings.

Application of Light-Emitting Diodes with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi for Tomato Seedling Production

Various technologies, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and beneficial plant micro-organisms, have been applied to enhance plant growth and development. We aimed to develop appropriate technology by incorporating the benefits of LED light, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) into sweet girl cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedling production. Our results demonstrated that incorporating red (R) and blue (B) LED lights, PGPR, and AMF positively affected tomato seedling growth. The optimal lighting conditions for tomato seedling growth were LEDs at 200 μmol/m2/s with a ratio of R60:B40 and 20 h/d exposure. The optimum LED-illuminated tomato seedlings significantly upregulated photosynthesis-related genes, including psbA, psbB, fdx, atpB, and rbcL. Plants inoculated with PGPR Bradyrhizobium sp. SUTN9-2, Bacillus velezensis SD10 and B. megaterium A20 had a high health index after inoculation. Furthermore, the optimized LED-illuminated tomato seedlings inoculated with SD10 had the highest health index. In addition, the optimum LED-illuminated tomato seedlings inoculated with SD10 and AMF had the highest biomass. Our experiment demonstrated that tomato seedlings produced under optimized LED lights inoculated with SD10 and AMF increased yield by about 16% under field conditions. Therefore, these results provided the optimum conditions for a high-quality tomato seedling production system.

Oil palm production with reduced economic costs and environmental impacts through the use of rhizobacteria

The oil palm seedling production system is one of the stages with the highest production cost due to the long nursery period and the high use of chemical fertilizers. In this context, the insertion of rhizobacteria appears as a technology that can reduce the average cost of seedling production. The objective was to study the economic efficiency of the production of oil palm seedlings, as a function of inoculation with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UFRAB01, compared to the conventional system of synthetic fertilizers. The study showed that the adoption of the technology allowed a reduction of 11.04% in the cost of each seedling produced. The production of palm seedlings with microbial technology is economically viable, as it allows the production of high quality seedlings, in 2 months less in the nursery time, with a reduction in the use of synthetic fertilizers by half and in 11% reduction in average cost compared to conventional management.

Growth Characteristics by Plug Tray Cell Size, Soil Type, and Fertilizer Concentration for Plug Seedling Production of Veronica pusanensis Y.N. Lee

Background and objective This study was conducted to establish a stable seedling production system for Veronica pusanensis Y.N. Lee, a plant that is endemic to the Korean Peninsula and is a critically endangered species, distributed along the coast of Busan, Korea. Methods In order to investigate the plug cell size (72, 128, 200 cells), soil type (commercial substrate, and mixed substrates with peat moss and perlite at ratios of 1:1, 3:1, and 4:1), and fertilizer concentration (Peters 0, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg·L−1) conditions, the plug tray was filled with soil and seeds were sown. The sown trays were placed in the growth chamber (25°C, 70% RH, PPFD 100 μmol·m−2·s−1) for three repetitions per treatment. Results There was no difference in the growth of seedlings according to plug cell size. Therefore, it appears to be economically superior to produce seedlings in a 200-cell plug tray. In soil type, the seedling growth increased as the ratio of peat increased, but leaf chlorosis occurred from the 7th week after sowing. Examining the growth of seedlings based on fertilizer concentration, the greatest increase in growth was found to have occurred in the 1,000 mg·L−1 treatment. Conclusion Therefore, for the production of V. pusanesis seedlings, it was noted that when mixed soil with peatmoss and perlite at a ratio of 4:1 is filled in 200-cell plug trays, and the seedlings are fertilized with Peters 1,000 mg·L−1 once a week, growth will increase the most, demonstrating excellent cost-effectiveness. However, to mass-produce high-quality seedlings in a short period, it will be necessary to use a plug tray smaller than 200 cells or to conduct various fertilization composition studies.

Bacillus cereus Improves Performance of Brazilian Green Dwarf Coconut Palms Seedlings With Reduced Chemical Fertilization.

Coconut production in the Amazon requires the knowledge and development of sustainable technologies to alleviate the detrimental effects of inorganic chemical fertilizers and intensive farming practices. In this study, we investigated the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) isolated from coconut seedlings on nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and physiological mechanisms related to biomass accumulation of seedlings grown with reduced inorganic fertilizer levels. Of the 96 PGPR isolates tested on rice plants, the isolate Bacillus cereus (UFRABC40) was selected, as it resulted in the most significant gain in growth variables. In a commercial coconut tree nursery, we subjected seedlings to two treatments, both with seven replications: control 100% NPK chemical fertilizer (CF) and B. cereus + 50% NPK CF. The results indicated that the inoculation increased phytohormone levels [190% indole acetic acid (IAA), 31% gibberellic acid GA3, and 17% gibberellic acid GA4] and leaf gas exchange [48% by assimilation of CO2 (A), 35% stomatal conductance to water vapor (gs), 33% transpiration, and 57% instantaneous carboxylation efficiency] in leaves. Furthermore, growth parameters (shoot, root, and total dry weight, height, and diameter) and macro- and micronutrient levels (95% N, 44% P, 92% K, 103 Ca, 46% Fe, 84% B) were improved. Our results show the potential ability of strain Bacillus cereus UFRABC40 to promote the growth performance of coconut seedlings under decreased application of inorganic fertilizers. The application of microbial-based products in coconut seedling production systems improves plants’ physiological performance and the efficiency of nutrient use.

The High Cost of the Low-Cost Polybag System: A Review of Nursery Seedling Production Systems

An important strategy for meeting global landscape restoration goals is nursery production of high-quality seedlings. Growing seedlings with attributes that promote post-planting survival and growth can be dramatically influenced by the nursery container system. In many countries, nurseries produce seedlings in polybags filled with excavated soil. These seedlings often develop deformed roots with limited fibrosity which can lead to poor survival and growth after outplanting. Polybags are initially inexpensive but using these single-use plastic containers accrues expenses that are often untracked. Comparisons among nursery production systems must account for factors such as container longevity, labor efficiency, and seedling field performance. A more holistic approach to account for environmental, economic, social, logistic, and cultural elements in the cost–benefit equation that influences nursery production systems is needed. Converting to a modern container system requires concomitant adjustments in nursery scheduling and culturing matched to the new stock type. Doing so provides an opportunity to align nursery production techniques and resulting seedling attributes with anticipated field conditions. This article describes and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of nursery production systems and provides recommendations and case studies to aid nurseries in improving seedling quality toward meeting restoration goals in a cost-effective and timely manner.

Peach palm residue compost as substrate for Bactris gasipaes self-sustaining seedlings production

Purpose To comply with purposes of circular economy and sustainability, as well as promoting an appropriate destination for waste from Bactris gasipaes agro-industry and adding value to this product, we evaluated the compost of the plant residue as substrate for seedlings production. Methods Waste was collected, composted, dried and ground. Compost samples were characterized chemically and physically. The treatments consisted of different proportions of compost and soil (medium commonly used in B. gasipaes seedling nurseries), to make five growth media (v:v composted peach palm:soil): T1 - 100: 0; T2 - 75:25; T3 - 50:50; T4 - 25:75 and T5- 0: 100. After 120 days of planting the peach palm seedlings, morphological parameters were evaluated. Results For the majority of physicochemical properties, T1 showed superior characteristics, i.e. higher water retention capacity (74.19 v/v), higher total porosity (74.78%) as well as higher concentrations of N, P, K (with 2.90 %, 3412.00 g dm-3 and 7120.00 g dm-3, respectively) when compared to T5. Likewise, for seedling morphological parameters, the material grown in T1 presented higher height and shoot fresh and dry weight. Conclusion B. gasipaes residue compost shows adequate amounts of macro and micronutrients and physical properties that enable satisfactory development of seedlings from the species, thus promoting a self-sustainable seedling production system.

Using Light Quality for Growth Control of Cucumber Seedlings in Closed-Type Plant Production System.

During seedling production, growth control of seedlings is an important problem because the overgrowth of seedlings causes a decrease of seedling quality and has disadvantages after transplanting. In this study, we aim to evaluate the possibility of replacing chemical plant growth regulators using light quality in a closed-type plant production system (CPPS) for cucumber seedling production. We used various light treatments, such as monochromatic or combined red (R) and blue (B), and combined R and B with UV-A or Far-red (Fr) light, to compare with a chemical plant growth regulator conventionally using in nursery farms. The combined R and B treatment decreased stem elongation and increased dry matter and compactness. UV-A treatment increased compactness but did not significantly affect the stem elongation or dry matter. Fr increased stem elongation and stem diameter and decreased compactness and dry matter. In leaf growth, combined R and B treatments and UV-A treatments increased leaf area, specific leaf weight, and SPAD value, and decreased leaf shape index. Fr treatments increased leaf area and leaf shape index and decreased specific leaf weight (SLW) and SPAD values. Cucumber seedlings have many different morphological changes, and R5B5 light quality was more effective in growth control due to higher compactness than chemical plant growth regulators. Also, R5B5 light quality has increased seedling quality, such as dry matter and SLW compared with fluorescent lamps. Thus, the use of light quality is a possible alternative to a chemical plant growth regulator.

Efficiency of the CL, DRIS and CND Methods in Assessing the Nutritional Status of Eucalyptus spp. Rooted Cuttings

The efficiency of methods in adequately interpreting the nutritional status of Eucalyptus spp. rooted cuttings remains unknown. The aim was to evaluate the quality of diagnoses obtained using the critical level (CL), diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) and compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) methods to assess the nutritional status of Eucalyptus spp. rooted cuttings, based on two different yield indicators. The data were obtained from commercial nursery and calibration experiments, using seven nutrients as treatments (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, B and Fe) and four concentrations per nutrient, arranged in randomized blocks, with four repetitions. The Eucalyptus spp. clone used in the experiments was AEC 0144. A total of 222 rooted cuttings were obtained from the experimental area and commercial nurseries and the following were determined: leaf nutrient content, whole plant dry matter (DM) content and the Dickson quality index (DQI). Diagnostic accuracy in the experimental plots was ascertained by comparing the diagnosis with plant response as a function of adding the corresponding nutrient. Five measures of accuracy were used to test the efficiency of the diagnostic methods: total accuracy, accuracy for deficiency and sufficiency, deficiency ratio, efficiency ratio, and the net increase in in DM and DQI. The performance of diagnostic methods varied between CL, DRIS and CND, and among the nutrients studied. Given that the seedling production system is largely more controlled, where environmental variations are minimal, and considering that the different diagnostic methods exhibited distinct performance in terms of assessing the true nutritional status of eucalyptus rooted cuttings, the CL method is the most indicated for this situation, due to its better performance in evaluating the nutritional status of most nutrients and easy implementation.

Effects of Fertilization on Growth of Zinnia elegans L. Seedlings Grown in Floating System

The floating system is a promising alternative type of hydroponic seedling production system, which has not been much studied and disseminated in the flower industry. This study aimed to produce seedlings of Zinnia elegans in a floating system and to evaluate the influence of two organic (Codaphos & Codasting and Fish-Fert) and one inorganic nutrient solution formulations on the seedling growth parameters. Z. elegans seeds germinated at a high rate (76.6-82.1%) in all fertilization treatments with a T50 ranging from 9.54 to 10.50 days. Application of Codaphos and Codasting (organic fertilizer containing N- Codasting and P+K- Codaphos) in floating system resulted in better development of the aboveground parts and roots of seedlings comparing with the other organic and the inorganic fertilization. As a conclusion, the present study showed that organic fertilization, especially with Codaphos and Codasting, could successfully be used for the production of Z. elegans seedlings in a floating system; however, further studies must be carried out on this aspect.

A state-of-the-art review of surrogate propagation in fish

Surrogate propagation is a systematic approach to producing donor-derived gametes using germline chimeras. In fish, the use of germline chimeras to study the development of germ cells was first conducted in the 1990s in the model fish species medaka (Oryzias latipes) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). More recently, surrogate propagation has been actively investigated as a means of efficient gamete production not only in model fish species but also in aquaculture species and endangered species. Surrogate propagation has the following components: combination of the donor and host species, host sterilization, donor cell preparation, transplantation of germ cells, and gametogenesis and gamete production in surrogate fish. In this review, we first provide a general overview of previous studies related to germ cell transplantation and the methodologies developed for different species, and consider how these have been applied in practice. Second, we consider the development of primordial germ cells in fish embryos, particularly the molecular biological approaches used for the visualization of germ cells and sterilization of host embryos. Finally, we discuss sex control in germline chimeras, which may be a key component of the use of surrogate production in aquaculture. We focus on techniques to produce sterile fish, as these are crucial to the exclusive production of donor gametes in a surrogate host. The advantages and disadvantages of various aspects of surrogate propagation are discussed, the potential use of surrogate propagation as a seedling production system is considered, and future perspectives for aquaculture are suggested.

Development and Gas Exchange of Pre-sprouted Sugarcane Seedlings in Three Different Growing Substrate Media

Objective: Evaluate the development and gas exchange of pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings in different substrates.
 Study Design: A randomized complete block design was used with two genotypes, three types of substrate (2 x 3), four replicates and five plants per replicate, totaling 120 plants.
 Location and Duration of Study: Department of Crop Sciences of the Center for Agrarian Sciences, Universidade Federal de Paraíba in the city of Areia, Brazil, between August and October 2018.
 Methods: The following were the treatments: T1 – genotype 1 in commercial substrate; T2 – genotype 1 in commercial substrate + bovine manure; T3 – genotype 1 in bovine manure + sand; T4 – genotype 2 in commercial substrate; T5 – genotype 2 in commercial substrate + bovine manure; T6 – genotype 2 in bovine manure + sand. Variables analyzed: height, diameter, dry mass of shoot and root and physiological response of seedlings.
 Results: A significant difference at the 1% level was found for the dry matter of the seedling roots among treatments with difference substrates. A significant difference at the 1% level was also found for shoot length and a significant interaction at the 5% level was found between genotype and substrate for this characteristic. Significant effects were found with regard to the rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and carboxylation efficiency.
 Conclusion: The substrate with manure + sand favored the accumulation of root dry matter and shoot length. Genotype 1 exhibited its best performance with regard to photosynthesis and stomatal conduction in the treatment with the commercial substrate and demonstrated greater carboxylation efficiency than genotype 2, independently of the substrates. The pre-sprouted seedling production system needs to be explored further to obtain greater information regarding the nutritional requirements and characteristics of the genotypes.

Growth and quality of mangosteen seedlings (Garcinia mangostana L.) in response to the application of humic acids

Abstract The time of formation of mangosteen seedlings propagated by seeds can be considered as the biggest difficulty in the seedling production system of this species. Considering that the use of humic acids as a growth promoter has been well documented in some species, the objective of this work was to evaluate the growth of mangosteen seedlings in response to the application of humic acid (HA) doses extracted from vermicompost (0; 2; 20; 40; 200 mg C L-1). Growth rate was determined using the following variables: stem diameter, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem dry matter, leaf dry matter, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, total dry matter and Dickson quality index . The dose 150 mg C L-1 was the one that approached the maximum values and therefore should be recommended for the production of seedlings. The results at 240 days after planting (DAP) showed that the HA increased the growth of mangosteen seedlings, helping to reduce the time of seedling formation under conditions for permanent planting.

Fertigation and growth regulator on coffee seedling production in tubes

ABSTRACT The use of quality seedlings is important in establishing a productive coffee crop. However, the most widely used method to produce coffee seedlings is time consuming (6-12 months) and lacks new production technologies. This study aimed to assess the use of fertigation and a growth regulator in the production of coffee seedlings, in order to develop a system faster than the conventional method. For that, Topázio coffee cultivar seeds were pre-germinated and planted in tubes filled with substrate (composted pine bark), in a protected nursery. A randomized block design was used, in a 4 x 2 (fertigation levels x the use or not of growth regulator) factorial scheme, with four replications. Daily fertigation positively influenced all the growth variables evaluated. The foliar spraying of the growth regulator had little effect on seedling growth. When compared to the conventional system described in the literature, the coffee seedling production system described here reduced, by around 60 days, the production time and enables a large-scale production.

Environment and slow-release fertilizer in the production of Euterpe precatoria seedlings

ABSTRACT Euterpe precatoria Mart. has been demanded due to the functional characteristics of its fruits and, therefore, its planting has been encouraged. However, there is a lack of information about the seedling production system of this palm tree. Neither a favorable environment nor the amount of fertilizer in the substrate have been defined for the production of healthy and vigorous seedlings. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of environments and doses of a slow-release fertilizer on the production of E. precatoria seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with three replications and ten plants per plot. The treatments were arranged in a 4 x 5 factorial scheme, with four environments (under shading levels of 20 %, 30 %, 50 % and 75 %) and five doses of a slow-release fertilizer (0.0 kg m-3, 2.5 kg m-3, 5.0 kg m-3, 7.5 kg m-3 and 10.0 kg m-3 of substrate). The seedling height; root collar diameter; number of leaves; leaf, shoot, root and total dry mass; and the Dickson quality index were analyzed. There were significant interactions between the shaded environments and slow-release fertilizer doses for all the analyzed variables. The 75 %-shaded environment yielded better quality seedlings. The slow-release fertilizer can be used to produce E. precatoria seedlings in environments under shading levels of 50 % and 75 %, being the 4.60 kg m-3 and 8 kg m-3 doses, respectively, the most recommended ones.

Biochar effects on the seedling quality of Quercus serrata and Prunus sargentii in a containerized production system

Biochars are used to improve soil quality and crop productivity as well as to increase carbon sequestration in soil. However, it is important to identify the characteristics of biochar prior to its application because of the positive and negative effects on soil and crop productivity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of charcoals on the growth and seedling quality of Quercus serrata and Prunus sargentii in a containerized seedling production system. Two of the charcoals used in our research were from oak tree; one produced at 1200 °C and the other at 700 ∼ 800 °C, and a bamboo charcoal produced at about 800 °C. Three charcoals were mixed with artificial soil (peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite with a ratio of 1:1:1 (v/v/v)), and applied commercial fertilizer at two concentrations; 0.5 and 1.0 g L−1. Growth parameters, such as height, root collar diameter, and dry weight, were decreased in charcoal treatments compared to control. However, charcoal treatments significantly increased the quality index of seedlings by 8.3% in Q. serrata and by 19.9% in P. sargentii. Our results suggested that charcoal can be applied to improve seedling quality in the containerized Q. serrata and P. sargentii seedling production system.