Relationship between seedling traits and recovery time after transplanting in shallot grown from true seed

Abstract

Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) seedlings frequently experience transplant shock, but the role of seedling traits in recovery dynamics remains unclear. This study investigated three seed-propagated varieties ('Lokananta', 'Merdeka F1', 'Sanren F1') under net-house conditions (June 2024, 5°S, 119°E) using ANOVA, regression, and correlation analyses. Results demonstrated that 'Merdeka F1' exhibited superior performance, with 28-42% greater biomass (2.36 g), enhanced root development (12.80 tips and 8.90 cm length), and faster recovery (5.77 days vs. 6.33-6.53 days) compared to other varieties. Pseudostem diameter emerged as the strongest predictor of recovery time (quadratic model: R2=0.77; correlation: r=−0.86), with seedlings >4.5 mm diameter recovering ~1 day faster. Significant negative correlations were also observed between recovery day and biomass (r=−0.66) or leaf count (r=−0.27), while root traits showed minimal influence (R2<0.04). These findings establish pseudostem diameter as a key selection criterion for transplant resilience and highlight 'Merdeka F1' genetic advantages. Future research should investigate optimal seedling age and biostimulant applications to enhance shallot transplant success.

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