Development of Raising Seedling Technology for Veronica pyrethrina Nakai Using Plug Trays

Background and objective This study was carried out to develop an effective technique for raising seedlings of Veronica pyrethrina Nakai, a native plant species in the Korean Peninsula, in plug trays. Methods To investigate the optimum plug cell size and sowing media, we sowed seed in to plug trays with 34, 21, and 10 mL cells and filled with a commercial horticultural substrate and mixtures of peatmoss and perlite in 1:1, 3:1, and 4:1 ratios. Fertilization levels were set at 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg • L−1. Results Plug cell size did not significantly influence the seedling growth of V. pyrethrina. By substrate type, the growth rate was highest in the horticultural substrate, followed by 4:1, 3:1, and 1:1. Growth by fertilization level was higher in all fertilized treatment groups than in the control group, and there was no difference among 500, 1000, and 2000 mg • L−1. Conclusion The results of this study proved that it is most suitable for raising seedlings of V. pyrethrina to sow the seeds in a 10 mL cell plug tray filled with horticultural substrates, and apply fertilizers with less than 500 mg • L−1 concentration.