Influence of cell volume in multicell transplant flats on the growth of organically grown seedlings of medicinal plants

E. Herrera¹, N. Tremblay² and A. Gosselin¹

Abstract
Multi-cell transplant flats were compared to determine the influence of cell volume on the growth and nutritional condition of seedlings of angelica (Angelica archangelica L.), horehound (Marrubium vulgare L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) grown in organic media.

Plant growth and mineral concentration generally increased with cell volume, though the effect varied with different plant species. An increase in cell volume resulted in an increase in the seedlings dry shoot and root weight and height, as well as in the concentrations of some minerals in the shoots of angelica and horehound. With thyme, only dry shoot weight and the mineral composition of leaf tissue were affected by cell volume. Plants growing in the 53.8 cm³ cell size flats were the first to reach the transplant stage.

These results demonstrate that high-quality plants can be produced organically in multi-cell flats. Optimal cell volumes were 24.6 to 53.8 cm³ for angelica and horehound, and 13.1 to 53.8 cm³ for thyme.


Source
Journal of Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants (1996) 4: 47-55


Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) Department of Phytology, Faculty of Agriculture and Food, Horticultural Research Center, Laval University, Sainte-Foy, Canada
(2) Horticultural R&D Center, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada


Posted April 2010