Effect of Perlite Substrates and Irrigating Nutrient Solution on the Growth and Development of Tomato Plug Seedlings and Root Environment

Two tomato varieties,Zhongza 9 and Zhongza 109 with late-maturing and early-maturing,respectively,were used to investigate the influence of two substrates(perlite+vermiculite,2∶1;turf+vermiculite,2∶1)and irrigating nutrient solution on sound seedling index,G value,bud length,chlorophyll content and EC,pH under tomato plug technology.The results showed that perlite+vermiculite(ZZB) had a poor nutritional condition and was not helpful to growth and development of the tomato plug seedlings compared to turf+vermiculite(CZB).the sound seedling index(0.044 4),G value(0.026 6),bud length(0.94 cm),chlorophyll content(1.303 mg/g) of Zhongza 109 tomato plug seedlings under the perlite+vermiculite and irrigating nutrient solution(ZZS) were respectively 33.7%,35.0%,9.3%,2.0% higher than those of Zhongza 109 tomato plug seedlings under the turf+vermiculite and irrigating nutrient solution(CZS).The plant height and stem diameter of tomato plug seedlings under perlite+vermiculite and irrigating nutrient solution were higher than those of tomato plug seedlings under turf+vermiculite and irrigating.EC(0.45 mS/cm) and pH(7.10) of seedlings rhizosphere under ZZS were more suitable for the tomato plug seedlings growth and development compared with those under CZS.So perlite+vermiculite and irrigating nutrient solution were better for culturing the high-quality plug seedlings.