PLANNING & SEASONAL MANAGEMENT OF NURSERY – DETAILED NOTES //By Rohit Jirobe//

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Introduction to Nursery

A nursery is a place where young seedlings, saplings, grafts, and planting material are raised under protected, controlled conditions. Helps ensure production of healthy, vigorous, disease-free plants.



Objectives of Nursery Planning

Produce high-quality planting material.

Ensure timely availability of plants.

Achieve uniform growth and reduce mortality.

Optimize use of space, water, labor, and resources.

Provide plants that can withstand transplanting stress.



Site Selection for Nursery

  • Sunlight: 50–60% full sunlight

  • Soil: Loamy soil with good drainage

  • Water: Continuous water supply

  • Topography: Slight slope to avoid waterlogging

  • Accessibility: Near roads and markets

  • Protection: Away from strong winds, grazing animals

  • Nursery Layout and Infrastructure

A well-planned nursery includes:

Seasonal Planning Overview

Content

Nursery work varies with season:

  • Summer: Protect from heat, frequent watering

  • Rainy season: Ideal for sowing, high germination

  • Winter: Protect from frost, adjust irrigation

Seasonal planning ensures:

  • Continuous plant supply

  • Reduced losses

  • Better growth and survival

Summer Season Management

Content

  • Provide shade nets (50–75%)

  • Frequent light irrigation or misting

  • Mulching to reduce evaporation

  • Choose heat-tolerant species

  • Protect seedlings from hot, dry winds

  • Maintain humidity through mist chambers




Rainy Season (Monsoon) Management

Content
Ideal season for seed sowing
Use raised seed beds to prevent waterlogging
Frequent weeding
Control fungal diseases (damping-off, rot)
Transplanting success rate is highest
Maintain proper drainage channels


Winter Season Management

Content

  • Protect seedlings from frost (straw mulch, plastic covers)

  • Reduce irrigation (slow water loss)

  • Maintain greenhouse temperature

  • Sow winter annuals (lotus, calendula, mustard)

  • Avoid overwatering (risk of root rot)

 




Nursery Calendar (Annual Work Plan)

Irrigation Management

Content
Watering methods:
Manual watering
Drip irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation
Misting system
Young plants require frequent, light watering
Overwatering leads to:
Fungal diseases
Poor root growth

Soil and Nutrition Management

Content

Ideal soil mixture (1:1:1 ratio):

  • Garden soil

  • Sand (for aeration)

  • Organic manure (FYM/compost)

Additional:

  • Biofertilizers: Azotobacter, PSB

  • pH should be 6.5–7.5

Plant Protection & Health Management

Content

Common Pests:

  • Aphids, mites, leaf miners, caterpillars

Common Diseases:

  • Damping-off, root rot, leaf spots

Management:

  • Sanitation

  • Proper spacing

  • Biological control (Neem oil, Trichoderma)

  • Fungicide application (if needed)

Hardening of Seedlings

Hardening = preparing seedlings for field conditions
Methods:

  • Reduce watering gradually

  • Remove shade slowly

  • Expose to natural sunlight

  • Reduce humidity

Purpose:

  • Increase survival during transplantation

Record Keeping in Nursery

Content

Important records:

  • Seed source & batch number

  • Sowing date

  • Germination %

  • Fertilizer schedule

  • Pest/disease logs

  • Sales and stock

Importance of Seasonal Nursery Management

Content

  • Ensures healthy plant growth

  • Reduces risks from climate

  • Maintains year-round plant supply

  • Prevents disease outbreaks

  • Improves economic performance and success of nursery

Summary

Content

  • Proper planning ensures efficiency

  • Each season requires different care

  • Good irrigation, soil management, and protection are essential

  • Healthy seedlings = higher survival & better yield

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