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2025 Vol.43, Issue 6 Preview Page

Research Article

Graphical Tracking and Quantitative Grading for Quality Assurance of Grafted Tomato Seedlings
Solly Kang1†
,
Yu Kyeong Shin2†
,
Young Eun Jeon1
,
Hyejin Lee3
,
Jun Gu Lee145*
1Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
2Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
3Vegetable Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea
4Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
5Core Research Institute of Intelligent Robots, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
*Corresponding Author
†These authors contributed equally to this work.
31 December 2025. pp. 722-735
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Abstract

In this study, we aimed to establish quantitative growth standards and quality assessment methods for grafted tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings through a comprehensive analysis of developmental patterns across five production cycles. The growth parameters of scion, rootstock, and grafted seedlings were monitored from cotyledon emergence through the shipping stage over 49 d in both spring and autumn seasons. The results revealed that spring production achieved superior growth, with shipping-stage seedlings reaching 18.43 ± 0.34 cm in height, 181.05 ± 6.34 cm2 in leaf area, and 10.261 ± 0.432 g in fresh weight compared with the corresponding autumn values of 16.85 ± 0.40 cm, 160.03 ± 4.58 cm2, and 8.362 ± 0.214 g. Rootstock consistently outperformed scion genotypes during early development, with 25% greater leaf area and 30% higher biomass at the pre-grafting stage. Following successful graft union, exponential growth acceleration occurred between 35 and 49 d after sowing, with the leaf area increasing 3.6-fold and fresh weight increasing 3.5-fold. A novel graphical tracking system was developed to visualize temporal growth patterns across seven key parameters, establishing standard ranges based on mean values ±1 standard deviation (SD). A five-point quality grading system was introduced, assigning scores based on deviation from mean values, with measurements within ±0.5 SD receiving the highest score. This integrated approach provides objective benchmarks for commercial nursery operations, enabling standardized quality assessment and timely environmental adjustments throughout the tomato production cycle. The established standards represent critical tools for optimizing the production of grafted tomato transplants and ensuring consistent seedling quality across different growth conditions.

Keywords
graphical tracking
growing degree days
light integral
standard range
standard specifications
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Information
  • Publisher :KOREAN SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국원예학회
  • Journal Title :Horticultural Science and Technology
  • Journal Title(Ko) :원예과학기술지
  • Volume : 43
  • No :6
  • Pages :722-735
  • Received Date : 2025-05-22
  • Revised Date : 2025-08-11
  • Accepted Date : 2025-09-09
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7235/HORT.20250063
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