1. Overview of Soilless Seedling Raising for Modern Farming

1.1 Concept and Advantages of Soilless Seedling Raising

Hydroponic Seedling Raising, also known as nutrient solution seedling raising, refers to cultivating crop seedlings without soil by using nutrient solutions, substrates, or pure nutrient solution systems.

As an essential primary stage of soilless cultivation, soilless seedling raising has developed rapidly alongside modern agricultural technology and is also widely applicable to traditional soil cultivation systems.

Developed countries have already achieved factory-based, large-scale and specialized production of vegetable and flower seedlings. Plug tray seedling technology first appeared in the 1960s and expanded rapidly across Europe and America during the 1970s. In the United States, plug-grown seedlings account for more than 70% of all commercial seedlings. South Korea, Japan and Taiwan region of China have also experienced fast development in plug seedling production.

In China, research on factory-based vegetable seedling production began in the 1980s, focusing on environmental control factors such as temperature, light, water and fertilizer management. Since then, mechanized and modernized seedling nurseries have been widely established across the country, greatly promoting the development of soilless seedling raising technology.

1.2 Advantages of Soilless Seedling Raising

1.2.1 Reduced Labor Intensity and Fewer Soil-Borne Diseases

Soilless seedling raising supplies nutrients and water accurately according to crop demand, effectively saving water and fertilizer.

It eliminates the need for large quantities of nursery soil and base fertilizers while significantly reducing soil-borne diseases and pests. Labor intensity is also greatly reduced.

1.2.2 Uniform, Healthy and Vigorous Seedlings

Under optimized environmental conditions and scientific management, seedlings produced through soilless methods are generally superior to conventional soil-grown seedlings.

Main advantages include:

• Uniform seedling growth
• Faster development
• Shorter seedling period
• Fewer pests and diseases
• Higher seedling vigor index
• Stronger root systems

After transplantation, seedlings experience minimal or no transplant shock, laying a strong foundation for later growth and high-yield production.

1.3 Comparison Between Soilless and Soil-Grown Seedlings

Data Source: Shandong Agricultural University

1.4 Improved Land Utilization

Standardized facilities and multi-layer cultivation systems greatly improve space utilization and increase seedling production per unit area, helping save valuable land resources.

1.5 Suitable for Factory-Based and Large-Scale Production

Soilless seedling raising allows scientific environmental regulation and precise water and fertilizer management.

It is highly suitable for:

• Standardized production
• Intensive management
• Mechanized operation
• Factory-scale commercial seedling production

Although the investment cost is higher, factory seedling production offers significant advantages in commercial agriculture.

1.6 Convenient Transportation and Commercial Distribution

The substrates used are lightweight, compact and possess excellent water and nutrient retention properties, making seedlings suitable for long-distance transportation and commercial sales.

2. Q&A

2.1 Can Soilless Seedlings Be Transplanted Into Soil Cultivation Systems?

Yes.

Soilless seedling raising only avoids soil during the nursery stage. Seedlings produced through soilless methods are fully suitable for later transplantation into traditional soil cultivation systems.

Many commercial nurseries use soilless seedling technology to produce uniform, high-quality seedlings before transplanting them into field production.

3. Basic Methods of Soilless Seedling Raising

Soilless seedling raising mainly includes three methods:

1. Sowing seedling raising
2. Cutting seedling raising
3. Tissue culture seedling raising

Among these, sowing seedling raising is the most widely used in commercial production.

Based on production scale and technical level, sowing seedling raising can be divided into the following two categories.

3.1 Conventional Soilless Seedling Raising

Characteristics:

• Small production scale
• Lower investment cost
• Relatively simple facilities
• Heavy reliance on manual operation
• Lower seedling uniformity and stability

3.2 Factory Soilless Seedling Raising

Characteristics:

• Large-scale production
• Artificial or fully controlled environments
• Standardized technical management
• High production efficiency
• Superior seedling quality
• Highly uniform seedlings

Although the investment cost is higher, factory seedling production offers significant advantages in commercial agriculture.

4. Containers, Facilities and Equipment

Containers and facilities should be selected according to crop requirements, production scale and local conditions.

Large-scale industrial nurseries generally use complete modern greenhouse systems equipped with environmental monitoring and automated control equipment.

Smaller-scale conventional seedling production may use sunlight greenhouses, plastic tunnels or other locally available facilities.

4.1 Seedling Raising Containers

4.1.1 Seedling Trays

Seedling trays are standardized plastic trays containing multiple individual cells.

Common features include:

• Vacuum-formed plastic trays
• Foamed polystyrene or polyurethane trays
• Suitable for both conventional and factory production

Standard Tray Specifications

• Standard size: 54.9 cm × 27.8 cm
• Cell depth: 3 cm to over 10 cm

Common Cell Numbers

• 50 cells
• 72 cells
• 105 cells
• 128 cells
• 200 cells
• 288 cells
• 392 cells
• 512 cells
• 648 cells

Among them, 72-cell, 105-cell, 128-cell and 288-cell trays are the most commonly used.

Each cell is filled with substrate before sowing, with 1–2 seeds planted per cell and one healthy seedling retained after germination.

4.1.2 Plastic Pots

Plastic pots are available in different shapes and specifications, including:

• Round pots
• Square pots
• Connected pot sheets

Materials mainly include:

• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Currently, soft round polyethylene pots are the most widely used.

Common Pot Dimensions

• Top diameter: 8–14 cm
• Height: 8–14 cm
• Bottom diameter: 6–12 cm

Drainage holes at the bottom ensure proper water drainage and root aeration.

Pot size should be selected according to:

• Crop species
• Seedling age
• Final seedling size

5. Supplementary Notes

• Page Header: Chapter 4
• Page Footer: Practical Technology of Vegetable Soilless Culture
• Marginal Note: Prevent Settlement

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