Growth after Transplanting and Seedling Quality of Veronica nakaiana and Veronica kiusiana var. glabrifolia as Influenced by Number of Cells in Plug Tray, Medium Composition, and Fertilization Level

Background and objective: This study was conducted to investigate the growth after transplanting and seedling quality ofVeronica nakaiana and V. kiusiana var. glabrifolia according to number of cells in plug tray, medium composition, andfertilization level in plug seedling production. Methods: The seeds of V. nakaiana and V. kiusiana var. glabrifolia were sown according to number of cells in plug tray (50,105, 162, 200, and 288-cell) and medium composition (mixtures of peat moss and perlite at ratios of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40,40:60, 20:80, and 0:100). And, after sowing the V. kiusiana var. glabrifolia seeds, they were treated with different fertilizerlevels (Hyponex 0, 0.78, 1.56, 3.12, and 6.24 g/tray) during the seedling period. Results: The seedling growth of V. nakaiana was more effective in plug tray of 50-cell than in the other plug trays, and therewas no difference in growth after transplanting between 50 and 105-cell treatments. And, the growth of the seedlings wasbest in media mixed with peat moss and perlite at ratio of 100:0 and 80:20. In V. kiusiana var. glabrifolia, plug tray of105-cell was best for seedling growth and plant growth after transplanting in pots. And, the seedling growth was the bestin media mixed with peat moss and perlite at ratios of 80:20 and 60:40 compared to other media. The seedling growth wasbetter in Hyponex treatments of 3.12 g/tray than in control and 6.24 g/tray treatments. Conclusion: The sowing in plug trays of 105-cell filled with a medium mixed with peat moss and perlite at a ratio of 80:20was most suitable for the seedling growth of V. nakaiana and V. kiusiana var. glabrifolia. In V. kiusiana var. glabrifolia, thetreatment of Hyponex at a total of 3.12 g/tray during the seedling period after sowing was most effective for the growthof seedling.