Nursery notes Part 2

 Importance of nursery:-

Establishment of nurseries is important for the following reasons:

 Production of proposed size and age of seedlings.

 Production of the desired number of seedlings.

 Production of healthy plants of the desired spp.

 Production of plants of superior quality.

 Production of desired plants at the right time.

 Production of seedlings at a cheaper cost.

Infrastructure for Nursery:-

Several factors are responsible for the selection of a suitable nursery site. Some important

considerations are as follows:

 Location

A nursery must be located in a pollution-free environment — away from brick kilns, smoke-emitting industries and rough motorised roads as dirt and dust settle on plants, covering the foliage, which not only reduces the photosynthetic efficiency of plants but also gives them a dull look. It must be ensured that the nursery site gets adequate sunlight.

However, care must be taken that the plants are protected against severe heat.

 Topography of land

The topography of land at the nursery site must be even. If it is undulating, it must be levelled.In hilly areas, it may be divided into levelled terraces.

 Soil

The soil must preferably be loam or sandy loam with large quantity of organic matter. The pH of the soil must be near neutral (6.5 – 7.5). It must have adequate water retention capacity and aeration.

 Water

The quality of water used in a nursery is important for the growth of plants. Saline and polluted water must not be used. It must be ensured that there is adequate water supply for irrigation. Besides, the nursery must be located near a water source so that there is no water scarcity at any time in the course of raising plants.

 Drainage

The nursery site must have adequate drainage facility and be free from water logging. Water must not stagnate at any time.

 Transportation

The nursery site must be accessible by road. It must not be far from potential markets so that there is no damage to the seedlings during transportation.

 Labour

As nursery work is labour-intensive, the nursery site must have enough number of labourers.

 Protection from animals

The nursery area must be protected by enclosures so as to prevent damage to the plants by stray animals.

 Market needs and size

Market plays an important role in the success of nursery business. Various type of inputs likes seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators, poly bags, agricultural implements, different type of spare parts and other miscellaneous items required in the nursery must be available in the nearby market. The nursery must be located near the city or an area from where people can purchase the plants. Alternatively, a mechanism to explore domestic and international markets must also be worked out for the success of nursery business.