RESEARCH INTO THE SPEEDLING SYSTEM OF RAISING VEGETABLE SEEDLINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Seedlings grown in Speedling trays produced equally good yields to to those grown in seedbeds, provided that they were not held in the trays too long. Too long an in-tray' time resulted in an increased time to maturity from sowing, and lower yields in cabbage.

Tray treatment with copper based coatings stimulated cabbage seedling growth but had no effect on final yield and was not considered justified for vegetables where roots do not penetrate the polystyrene.

A well composted milled pine bark medium was shown to be a good substitute for imported peats provided the correct management and nutrient solutions were used.