Abstract
Growers in plug seedling production think that root media in which rockwool is a component has given rise to several environmental problems. Therefore, the demand for new materials as a substitute for rockwool has been increased. This study examined the possibility of cultivation of tomato plug seedlings using a newly developed growing medium with phenolic foam. Plug seeds of tomato cultivar 'Madison' were sown in four pellet-type growing media: Grodan rockwool (GRW), UR rockwool (URW), phenolic foam LC (LC) or phenolic foam LC-lite (LC-lite). Then, the seedlings were transplanted to the four cube-type growing media 19 days after sowing. Seeds were germinated in a growth chamber ($25{\pm}2^{\circ}C$, 80% relative humidity, and dark) for 4 days and then the seedlings were grown with a nutrient solution supplied by an overhead irrigation system in a greenhouse. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, and fresh or dry weight of tomato seedlings were the greatest for the seedlings transplanted to URW cube media after being grown on LC-lite pellets. Root grade was the greatest for the seedlings transplanted on LC or LC-lite cube media after being grown on LC pellets. Chemical properties of all media tested for tomato growth were maintained within a stable range, while physical properties of URW showed high values in container capacity, air space, and total porosity. These results demonstrated that the phenolic foam media were effective for seedling growth and can substitute for rockwool as a root medium.
본 연구는 환경오염 감소와 암면 배지의 대체를 위해 새롭게 개발된 생육배지인 phenolic foam의 토마토 육묘용 배지로써의 이용가능성을 구명하기 위해 수행되었다. 토마토 'Madison' 품종을 4종류의 펠릿형 Grodan rockwool(GRW), UR rockwool(URW), phenolic foam LC(LC), phenolic foam LC-lite(LC-lite) 인공배지에 파종하여 육묘 후 19일 후에 4종류의 큐브형 인공배지에 이식하였다. 종자는 식물생장 챔버에($25{\pm}2^{\circ}C$, 상대습도 $90{\pm}5%$, 암발아) 4일 동안 발아시켰고, 발아가 시작 된 후에는 유리온실로 옮겨 두상 관수로 양액을 관수하였다. 토마토의 초장, 엽수, 엽면적, 생체중 및 건물중은 LC-lite 펠릿에서 육묘한 후 URW 큐브로 이식한 묘에서 생육이 우수하였다. 뿌리 등급은 LC 펠릿에서 육묘 후 LC와 LC-lite 큐브로 이식한 처리에서 가장 우수하였다. 배지의 화학성은 모든 배지에서 토마토의 생육에 안정적인 범위였다. URW의 물리성은 용기 용수량, 기상률, 총 공극에서 높은 값을 나타냈다. 그러므로, 신개발 배지인 phenolic foam은 토마토 묘의 초기 육묘와 뿌리 발달에 적합하여 암면 대체 가능성을 입증하였다.
