Abstract
It is not necessary to pinch off the main stems of the short-internode squash cultivar ‘TC2A’ after planting. The fruit yield of densely planted ‘TC2A’ is higher than that of standard high-yielding cultivars. The objective of this study was to determine labor saving is possible by using a transplanting machine and plug seedlings for densely planted ‘TC2A’.
1) The labor hours for transplanting using plug seedlings with a hand planter was 5.92 hours per 10a, which was about 43% less than that required for transplanting using conventional pots.
2) The labor hours for transplanting using plug seedlings with a transplanting machine was 3.85 hours per 10a, including 0.84 hours for transplanting, 0.34 hours for supplying seedlings and 2.59 hours for seedling adjustment.
3) The fruit yield in the plot using plug seedlings and machinery transplanting was the same as that in the plot using conventional pot transplanting.
4) Rates of vacant hills were less than 2% in the plot using machinery transplanting without seedling adjustment after transplanting. Increase of vacant hills reduced the number of harvested fruits, but the weight of harvested fruits in the plot with less than 10% vacant hills was not significantly decreased.
5) In conclusion, transplanting using plug seedlings can save labor hours for ‘TC2A’ production. Labor hours were shortest when a transplanting machine was used, and seedling adjustment after transplanting was not necessary.
