288-Cell Square PS Plug Tray (Microgreens / Ultra-High Density)

Maximum Cells per 1020 Footprint

Microgreen growers and automated germination lines count every cell. They need the highest possible plant count per tray, but the tray must still drain and stay flat. Weak, off-spec trays cause mis-picks and jam conveyor systems. The 288LR delivers the highest cell density in our PS range without giving up rigidity or drainage.

This 288 cell plug tray packs 288 square cells into a 12 x 24 arrangement. It fits a standard 1020 footprint. Precision thermoforming gives every tiny cell clean walls and a properly formed drainage hole. That level of precision is what keeps high-speed lines running.

288 Miniature Cells, 12 x 24 Layout

Each cell has a 1.95 cm (0.77 inch) top opening that narrows to a 1.15 cm (0.45 inch) base. Cell depth is 2.54 cm (1.0 inch). These dimensions match microgreen production and early-stage germination. Seeds go in dense, and seedlings come out young. Even at this tight pitch, each cell keeps a clear drainage hole at the base. That shallow profile is intentional, because the crop leaves the tray within days.

We thermoform the 288LR from a single sheet of premium polystyrene. Walls stay uniform, and the tray stays flat for precise conveyor registration. That consistency matters when machines handle thousands of trays per day. It also makes the tray the standard choice for automated germination rooms.

Fits Your 1020 System on Day One

The 288LR measures 54 x 27 cm (21.3 x 10.6 inches), the standard 1020 footprint. It nests inside 1020 watertight trays for bottom watering. It also sits flat on mesh benches and stacks neatly with other 1020 trays. You do not need to change benches, irrigation, or handling equipment.

Built for Automated Seeders

High-speed drum and needle seeders demand tight tolerances. We form the 288LR with consistent cell pitch, opening size, and tray flatness. Every cell rim is clean and smooth, so needles and nozzles never snag. The rigid profile also resists flexing at high speed. That means fewer mis-picks, fewer jams, and more trays seeded per hour. At 288 cells, even one mis-aligned tray wastes hundreds of seeds, so consistency is essential.

Light to Ship, Easy on Margins

Each 288 cell plug tray weighs just 200 grams. That low weight cuts freight cost directly. A pallet holds 3,520 trays, and a 40-foot high-cube container loads 77,440 units. For high-volume propagation, PS trays offer the lowest landed cost per cell. At the highest density in our range, the cost per cell is the lowest of all.

Best Crops for the 288LR

• Microgreens and wheatgrass
• Automated germination lines
• Seedlings transplanted at the cotyledon or first-true-leaf stage
• Operations that benchmark cost per cell and throughput per square meter

Material, Safety, and Reuse

We make every 288LR from food-grade expanded polystyrene (PS #6). The trays are BPA-free with no intentionally added lead, cadmium, or heavy metals. Many municipal and commercial facilities recycle PS #6, so we recommend partnering with a local recycling program. These trays work best for single use or 1-3 careful cycles. If you need trays for repeated washing and multi-season use, take a look at our PP range instead.