Canada's Organic Science Cluster

Activity D.5: Organic production of peat blocks for vegetable seedlings and detection of abiotic and biotic stresses

Objectives:

The production of high quality transplants is hereby defined as a healthy, uniform and easy to handle batch of plants that will suffer from minimal transplant shock, will establish quickly in their new production environment and be highly productive. The objective of this project is to develop methods to consistently deliver high quality organic transplants. Specific objectives include to:

1. Determine the appropriate organic growing media and water content for high quality peat blocks seedlings;
2. Determine the appropriate organic wetting agent for high quality peat blocks seedlings;
3. Develop an appropriate fertilization management for high quality seedlings grown in peat blocks;
4. Study the effect of plant growth stimulators and biological control agents  on seedling quality and disease tolerance;
5. Evaluate the handling quality of peat block seedlings;
6. Evaluate transplanting shock, plant growth after plantation, early and total harvesting of peat blocks seedlings;
7. Establish methods to quickly detect, locate and trace seedling growth, stress level and performance during the transplant preparation phase;
8. Establish data collection and meta-analysis procedures to identify environmental and other factors explaining successful or non-successful treatment effects

Learn More:

• Activity Summary
• Background and Supporting Documents
• Activity Researchers

Interesting Results to Date:

• NEW!! Remote Sensing of Nitrogen and Water Status on Boston Lettuce Transplants in a Greenhouse Environment
• Organic Potting Soil Considerations
• Stay tuned for reports, newspaper articles, and extension bulletins related to this activity.

 

Partners and Sponsors: