Some suggestions on choosing seedling containers

Author: Hou

Jan. 03, 2025

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The selection of seedling containers not only affects the actual production benefits and seedling growth quality, but also affects the compatibility and efficiency of machine operations. It is very important for vegetable seedling customers to choose the right seedling container. The following are some suggestions for the selection of seedling containers for your reference .

Number of holes and hole volume

The number and volume of the holes in the plug tray directly affect the quality of seedling growth. Too few holes in the plug tray will cause a waste of production resources and means of production; too many holes in the plug tray will result in insufficient space for seedling growth, making the seedlings weak and susceptible to diseases. The shape of the holes should be a square inverted trapezoid or an inverted cone, which is conducive to guiding the roots to extend downward, rather than the roots entangled on the inner wall as in round or side vertical holes. The drainage and air permeability holes at the bottom of the plug tray provide more favorable conditions for drainage and ventilation of the substrate. Generally speaking, the smaller the volume of the plug tray planting holes, the more sensitive the plug tray seedlings are to changes in humidity, nutrients, oxygen, pH value, and EC value in the substrate; the larger the volume of the plug tray planting holes, the greater the substrate content and the stronger the buffering capacity, which is conducive to the growth of the root system. According to the seedling variety and the final seedling size, the number and volume of the plug tray holes should be reasonably selected to reduce the amount of substrate, increase space utilization, and thus save production costs.

104 Cells Growing Seedlings Trays.webp

2. Color of the plug tray

The color of the plug tray also affects the root temperature and light transmittance of the plant. Generally, black plug trays are selected in winter and spring because they can absorb more light and increase the root temperature. In summer or early autumn, silver-gray plug trays should be used to reflect more light and avoid excessive root temperature. White plug trays generally have a higher light transmittance, which will affect root growth, so white plug trays are rarely selected. Of course, white foam plug trays can be an exception. Generally speaking, unless otherwise required, the plug trays used in large-scale nurseries are generally black or dark gray.

3. Common plug tray specifications

In general, standard plug trays (540mm*280mm) are selected. Some plug trays have ventilation holes between the holes, so that air can flow between the plants, making the leaves dry, reducing diseases, drying evenly, and ensuring uniform growth of the plants in the entire tray. The environmental control of greenhouses in large-scale nurseries is generally reasonable. Except for special varieties and requirements, there are generally no additional requirements for ventilation holes between the holes of the plug tray. According to the number of times the plug tray is selected, there are generally two types of plug trays: disposable plug trays and reusable plug trays. Disposable seeding trays require strength to support the normal operation of the seeder; multiple-use plug trays generally require the use of high-quality plug trays, with a straight shape that is not easy to deform and can be used in a cycle. Choose disposable plug trays or reusable plug trays according to the situation to save costs.

Table 1: Specifications of plug trays for common varieties

Category	Category Name	Seedling type	Commonly used plug trays (plug/tray)
Solanum	tomato	Seedlings	72, 105, 128
	tomato	Grafted seedlings	72, 105
	eggplant	Seedlings	72, 105, 128
	eggplant	Grafted seedlings	72, 105
	chili	Seedlings	105, 128
Melons	cucumber	Seedlings	50, 72, 105 Recommended article: Is NPK 12-12-17 the Future of Sustainable Farming? Are Neoprene Knee Sleeves Safe for Long-Term Use? Optimizing Cooling Towers: Spray Nozzles vs. Traditional Systems Is Your Radar Level Gauge Accurate During Extreme Weather Conditions? What Are Inlet Louvers and How Do They Work? The Ultimate Guide to Choosing grp water tank 7 Essential Benefits of Using Gypsum Plaster Retarder in Construction
	cucumber	Grafted seedlings	50, 72
	Momordica charantia	Seedlings	50, 72, flat plate (grafted scion)
	Loofah	Seedlings	50 , 72 , flat(Grafting scion)
	pumpkin	Seedlings	50 , 72 , flat(Grafting scion)
Cabbage	cauliflower	Seedlings	105, 128
Cabbage	Kale	Seedlings	105, 128
Leafy vegetables	lettuce	Seedlings	105, 128
Leafy vegetables	celery	Seedlings	128, 162, 200, 288

When reusing the plug tray, the used plug tray may be infected with some residual pathogens and eggs, so it must be cleaned and disinfected. The seeding tray can be reused only after it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. At present, large and medium-sized nurseries generally use plug tray cleaning machines to clean and disinfect the plug trays, which greatly reduces labor costs.

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