ROOT CELL-VOLUME AFFECTS GROWTH OF COMPACT-GROWTH-HABIT TOMATO TRANSPLANTS

The influence of flat cell volume (cavity containing growing medium) o n transplant growth and development of NC 13G-1, a compact-growth-habi t, fresh-market tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) breeding line, was compared to that of a normal growth habit line, NC 8288. Transplan ts of each line were produced in four cell volumes (3.3, 27, 37.1, and 80 cm3) for 5 weeks, evaluated and then transplanted to larger contai ners, and grown until anthesis. During the first 5 weeks after seeding , plant dry weight did not differ between the lines; however, plant he ight of NC 13G-1 was almost-equal-to 60% of the height of NC 8288. For both lines, number of days from sowing to anthesis decreased as root cell volumes increased. For space-efficient production of large quanti ties of compact-growth-habit tomato transplants, flats with root cell volumes as small as 27 and 37 cm3 can be used without greatly delaying anthesis.