How propagation plugs influence tomato growth in various systems
Source: HD.com
'Red Velvet' microtomato was sown in five commercial substrates and finished under common greenhouse nutrient film technique (NFT) conditions. Final germination differed among substrates (60%–100%; P = 0.0027).
OASIS ® had 100% germination, but smaller transplants and later flowering and fruit maturity. Preforma reached first mature fruit 14 days earlier than Oasis.
Propagation Plug Substrate Influences Establishment and Crop Timing of 'Red Velvet' Microtomato in Nutrient Film Technique. Source: ResearchGate Frontpage photo: © Roy Janssen | Dreamstime Publication date: Mon 5 Oct 2026 Related Articles → See More Amiran Kenya opens Naivasha Center of Excellence to train growers Reducing growing risks in greenhouse grown watermelon Evaluating lettuce production in hydroponic systems How propagation plugs influence tomato growth in various systems Tech puts consumers at heart of fruit development Optimising root-zone temperature for strawberry growth How LED lighting improves fruit quality and productivity in hydroponically grown strawberries Finding the best settings to measure Chlorophyll in lettuce leaves Using an AI Model to predict yield and estimate vegetable biomass How air temperature effects leaves on sweet pepper plants Related Articles Amiran Kenya opens Naivasha Center of Excellence to train growers Reducing growing risks in greenhouse grown watermelon Evaluating lettuce production in hydroponic systems How propagation plugs influence tomato growth in various systems Tech puts consumers at heart of fruit development Related Articles Optimising root-zone temperature for strawberry growth How LED lighting improves fruit quality and productivity in hydroponically grown strawberries Finding the best settings to measure Chlorophyll in lettuce leaves Using an AI Model to predict yield and estimate vegetable biomass How air temperature effects leaves on sweet pepper plants Latest photo reports → See More Seed Meets Technology 2026, Netherlands GreenTech North America 2026, Philadelphia, United States International Propagation Seminar 2026 Propagate!
Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
