Methods of Establishing Young Plants in a Nutrient-Film Tomato Crop

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Abstract
Methods of establishing tomato seedlings in nutrient-film technique were compared, namely, by the use of rockwool cubes, compressed peat blocks (Jiffy 7), bitumenized paper pots filled with a loam-based compost, lattice plastic pots filled with expanded clay granules, and bare-rooted seedlings. The effects of these methods were mainly confined to the earlier stages of growth, development and fruit yield. Plant height, plant dry weight, date of anthesis, flower bud number, fruit number and the rate of picking during the first two months of cropping were affected. There was little effect on percentage fruit set or on the date of the start of picking, and only a small effect on mean fruit weight. After one month of cropping the greatest yields were obtained from plants established in loam-based compost, ccmpressed peat blocks and in clay granules; reduced yields resulted from the use of bare-rooted seedlings and rockwool cubes. After two months’ cropping the method of establishment had no effect on yield.

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