The effect of soil block media composition on pakchoi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) seedlings growth

Abstract

Pakchoi plants are generally grown as seedlings at nursery before transplanting. Seedlings that grow well can increase plant adaptation chances to grow and thrive after transplanting. One of the environmentally friendly seedling methods, soil block seedling, can be an alternative to conventional seedling methods. This study aims to test media composition using soil block seedling method on pakchoi seedlings growth. The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with one factor, soil block seedling media composition (humus soil-hs, cow manure-cm, husk charcoal-hc, proportion in per cent), consisting of four treatment levels (K550, A532, B440, C352) repeated three times. The results showed that, soil block seedling media composition significantly affected germination rate, seedling height at 2-3 WAS, leaf chlorophyll content and root development conditions. Treatment B442 (40% hs, 40% cm, 20% hc) resulted in germination rate reaching 97% and rooting conditions that penetrated the soil block seedling media the most. Treatment A532 (50% hs, 30% cm, 20% hc) produces the highest plant height at 2-3 WAS. Treatment C352 (30% hs, 50% cm, 20% hc) produced the highest chlorophyll content at 6 WAS but was not different from treatment K550 (50% hs, 50% cm, 0% hc).