Evaluation of tomato transplant production methods for improving establishment rates

Abstract

Eight different tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) transplant production methods were tested during two growing seasons (1993-94) to determine their effectiveness in increasing both establishment rate and yield. Seven-week-old greenhouse grown transplants of 'Hypeel 696' were shipped from Florida to Pennsylvania and planted at the Pennsylvania State Univ. Horticulture Research Farm. Transplants were also grown at the Pennsylvania State University to compare their growth with that of southern-grown plants. In 1993, increased nutrient levels during the last 10 days of transplant production significantly increased transplant size, establishment rate, and early yields, while the addition of Hydretain®, an aid to water retention and uptake, significantly increased total yield. In 1994, plants from Florida that were chilled for 7 days before transplanting and the Pennsylvania-grown plants had faster establishment rates than did nonchilled plants from Florida, but differences in yield were nonsignificant. Chilled and Pennsylvania-grown plants had significantly higher soluble carbohydrate levels in leaves, stems, and roots than did nonchilled and Florida-grown plants, while nutrient-conditioned plants had higher levels in leaves and stems. Establishment rate was not correlated with carbohydrate level. Chemical name used: (2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid (ethephon).