Proper Plant Density for Mechanical Transplanting of Several Leafy Vegetables Under Korean Agricultural Condition

Purpose: This study surveyed the information for development of mechanical transplanting of leafy vegetables. The priority production area of each crop, cultivation season, primary cultivar, transplanting method, and cultivation practice, in terms of furrow, ridge, and planting distance, were determined. Methods: The cultivation region, cultivation period, seedling, transplanting method, and size of furrow and ridge for cultivation of kimchi cabbage, cabbage, broccoli, and head lettuce were determined. These activities were carried out on commercial farms in the main producing region of leafy vegetables. Results: Regarding kimchi cabbage, the standard sizes of furrow and ridge were 63 and 13 cm, respectively. The suitable wheel distance of the transplanting machine was 112–136 cm and the planting distance of kimchi cabbage was 65 × 45 cm. For cabbage transplanted in a single row, the furrow and ridge sizes were 76–90 and 13–15 cm, and the wheel distance and planting distance ranged from 152–180 and 76–90 × 45 cm, respectively. For broccoli and head lettuce, respectively, the furrow size range indicated 50–78 and 63–69 cm, with corresponding ridges of 10–20 and 12–13 cm, and the suggested wheel distances were 100–156 and 126–138 cm. In addition, the planting distance of broccoli and head lettuce represented 76–90 × 45 cm and 63–69 × 30 cm, respectively. Conclusions: Results indicated the optimal density for mechanized transplanting of various types of leafy vegetables and the information provided could be applied to develop the specification of the machine’s end effects.