Effects of Rockwool-cube Size and Days of Raising Seedlings on Growth and Root Activity of the Seedlings, Growth after Transplanting, and Yield of Tomatoes Grown on Rockwool

Abstract

To determine the optimal period of raising seedlings depending on the size of rockwool cube, tomato seedlings were grown in three different size of rockwool cube, that is, large (length:width:height = 10:10:5 cm), tall (5:5:10 cm) and small (5:5:5 cm cube). Seedling growth was highest in large cube and lowest in tall cube at all timepoints. Optimal periods of raising seedlings were affected by rockwool-cube size. It was estimated that optimal periods of raising seedlings were 24 days in large and tall cubes, and less than 14 days in small. Root activities were not related to the optimal period. It was suggested that the ratio of root dry weight to the volume of rockwool cube was the dominant factor affecting the optimal period of raising seedlings.