We have all encountered trays made of Styrofoam in which the seedlings are placed and passed on to farmers on their way to the ground. Ostensibly, this is a trivial process, but a study conducted at the Shorashim Nursery in Moshav Ein HabSor, in the HaBsor region, found that there was damage caused and injury to the root system by plucking in the Styrofoam growing method.

The new patent in the field, the casting of plastic trays, open fruit and of Shorashim nursery includes a variety of advantages over the growth in Styrofoam trays. The plastic trays of Shorashim are made of one cast, with a smooth and impenetrable surface area, allowing for easy retrieval of the seedlings from the tray and there is no injury to the root system compared to the use of Styrofoam trays.

Another advantage added in the planning process of the trays is air vents between seedling and seedling that allow the free passage of air and the evaporation of excess water and moisture that contribute to uniform seedlings in growth and health when it comes to diseases caused by excess moisture. In addition, compared to the Styrofoam trays that cannot be recycled and constitute an environmental hazard on an international scale, the plastic trays are sent for shredding and recycling and do not pose a threat to the environment.

Just so you know: The Styrofoam tray has limited use and the quality of seedlings may decrease after a large number of growth cycles. Seedlings in plastic trays after washing and disinfecting behave as new even after many growing cycles.