An innovative and unique system that enables a “bare rooted” seedlings to be planted using a conventional “semi automatic” mechanical planter.

How does it work?
A person attaches an Adaplug to the roots or stem at the base of a seedling by folding the two side panels inwards & then securely binding the plant by with a rubber band (we are also developing a mechanical unit to do this task). The new “plug” with the bare seedling plant attached is then immersed in water where the Adaplug will absorb water, greatly increasing its total weight. The plant then has a greater weight on the bottom than the top. This added weight, combined with the design of Adaplug utilises gravity to plant like conventional plugs. The newly created “plug” can then be planted by “traditional” planting equipment. The Adaplug will naturally decompose in the soil within a relatively short time, leaving no residue.

Why use Adaplug?
The question is constantly being asked by commercial growers that plant by crops by hand “Is there was an alternative? Maybe there is a faster, cheaper or better way?”. The Adaplug system addresses all these questions.

Labour for “hand” planting techniques is becoming increasing expensive and in some cases unreliable or difficult to obtain in many developed countries. The Adaplug system dramatically reduces the total labour required for planting.

Traditional “hand” planting can cause a wide variation in the number of healthy plants, speed of establishment & overall crop yield due to the diversity & skill level of workers. The Adaplug system can significantly reduce these variations as all seedlings are planted exactly the same – every time.

What crops can benefit?
Many crop species can use the Adaplug system for mechanical planting, including bare rooted seedlings, corms or bulbs, with a diverse range of crops covered such as; berries (including strawberries), garlic, onion and ornamental plants. The range of crops and applications is only limited by your imagination as the Adaplug system is flexible & versatile.