There are biological and economic benefits in
raising seedlings and cuttings in
Transplant Systems air pruning cellular growing trays.
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Transplant Systems Ltd
Consider the construction of the cell
Consider the surfaces of the tray
Unique cell architecture to direct roots to side slot openings to be air pruned
Slots are tapered to ease plant extraction.
Internal form and openings to encourage a natural root form.
Consider the surfaces of the tray
With trays raised on benching surface vent holes allow upward air flow to pass foliage reducing chance of fungal disease.
Unique sharp edges at the top of each wall slot to shear off fibrous roots when extracting the plant.
Trays together retain cell pitch.
Top band with corner recesses to engage automatic stacking and destacking systems.
Tray length (385 mm) is common for all trays in the TS F series tray program.
All trays can be mechanically moved through nursery work flow systems.
All trays are ok for automated washing and stacking.
Trays from Transplant Systems of different cell volumes can be used in the nursery without having to change tray travel guidance settings
The Transplant Systems cell explained
The objective in the cell design is to create the means to improve the health of the plant while in the nursery and to enhance plant growth and survival in the field. Superior root control features enables longer carry over allowing plants to be held until field planting conditions are optimum.
To achieve this each cell at each corner has a concave arc.
Together air vent holes are achieved across the surface of the tray. The created vent holes allow air to rise and flow past the cell openings and through developing foliage.
This assists to minimise the onset of fungal disease. A second benefit is the design of the side walls of the cell.
These are shaped to direct formative advancing lateral roots to enter the side slots in the walls of the cell to become air pruned.
When extracting the plant from the cell fibrous hair roots are removed by having to pass a sharp inward facing edge at the top of each of the four side slots.
When planted the lateral and bottom roots will advance quickly seeking nutrients and moisture. A closest to natural root structure is achieved to give a well anchored plant to carry an expanding canopy.
Media washed out to clearly show root development in carry over stock from side slot cells.
Eliminate deformed roots
Photos of poor root development and coil resulting from use of poor and outdated container types.
Tray selection will need to consider... (a) biological requirements (b) environment needs (c) economic capacity.... and importantly plant quality to sustain professional reputation.
Future nurseries will be greatly automated. Tray design will need to link to smart mechanical handling through all nursery work flow systems always seeking to minimise cost and improve quality of production. Transplant Systems with its air root pruning growing trays is showing the way to get rid of deformed roots causing stunted growth costly second plantings and customer disappointments.
Trays positioned allowing air movement beneath the tray and between the side openings of the cells
To win a competitive edge existing container availability may not suit future planned plant production. An answer could be a new container concept linked with automation.
Transplant Systems has considerable experience in both nursery automation and container design and enjoys the company of highly competent tool designers and tool making services attached to one of the countries leading specialist plastic forming enterprises advanced design methods and latest injection moulding practices are available to the company. It is to this pool of knowledge that Transplant Systems is able to assist customers in the design and prototype 3D samples for evaluation purposes.
Purpose of design to offer cell trays having dual use suitable for both holding prefilled paper pots or for loose fill retaining root guiding to prevent root curl.
Blue circle defines paper pot.
Designed to make it easier, faster and less expensive to plant container raised seedlings into prepared planting sites. Planting output per person is significantly improved as there is no bending or back strain.
Planting depth is adjustable with a spanner to set the depth limiter. Loose seedlings can be carried in the kidney shaped hip positioned plastic box supplied with it’s carrying harnesses.
To use, simply press the (Closed Beak) into the prepared ground. Step onto the beak opener peddle then grasp a seedling and place it into the planting tube for it’s free fall. Lift the tool away from the “planted seedling” and heal (Firm) the surrounding soil. Press the beak closing trigger.
Transputki Planting Tools are practically maintenance free. Simply test the jaw opening function when fully opened, it should not exceed the internal diameter of the tube.
Spare parts are available.
LARGE KIDNEY SHAPED BLUE SEEDLING CARRYING BOX WITH HARNESS
Inner diameter #5: 53 mm #6: 61 mm #7: 73 mm
Planting depths: 80-100 mm
During the past five years several major forest nurseries have progressively changed their growing containers to adopt new trays with proven cell forms that eliminate root curl and encourage a close to natural root system.
The same trays have been supplied to speciality tree farms and those where higher value genetically superior seed or vegetative cuttings are being used.
The cell design is unique, well proven and replicated in all lateral air root pruning injection moulded trays offered by Transplant Systems.
The trays are made in Australia using a hot injection moulding process to make cells with fine tolerances. Outer measurements allowing automatic handling in nursery work flow practices. The trays are very durable and will last 15 to 20 years under normal use. (Helping to reduce plastic usage).
Future forests will benefit from container designs that focus on root development and control during the nursery and field production process.
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