Energy consumption during the transplanting process of pulling seedling blocks downwards for seven different types of open-bottom trays providing air-pruning at the open bottom was studied. Two factor levels of strength and two factor levels of water content of the peat-soil mix were tested. All experiments were carried out first without seedlings, immediately after loading the potting medium, and secondly with Chinese cabbage seedlings after a 40 day growing period. A tray cell that did not taper upwards consumed nearly 12 times more suction energy per unit area than a tray cell that tapered upwards.

Keywords: energy consumption, transplanting tray, potting medium