The quality of tomato seedlings raised in 4 seedling densities (1,100/m2, 400/m2, 200/m2, 100/m2) and 2 kinds of media were compared. Decreasing seedling density markedly increased the seedling vigor, field survival rates and improved reproductive growth and fruit development. Vegetative vigor was evaluated according to an index based on relationships among seedling height, stem thickness, shoot an droot dry weight. Seedlings in density 100/m2 had the significantly highest vigor index while those from 200/m2, 400/m2 and 1,100/m2 ranked the second, third and last, respectively. Significantly higher field survival rates were observed in densities 100/m2 and 200/m2 than those from density treatments 400/m2 and 1,100/m2. The number of individual flowers, infloresences and fruit/plant in early the stage significantly increased in density treatments 100/m2 and 200/m2. No significant difference was found between the media treatments. [AS]
