Fruit trees are important in several ways
- Agro forestry
- Shade
- Nutritional value
- Income
A plant nursery is a place used for germinating seeds or growing plants before transplanting to permanent sites (field, farm). Establishment in permanent sites depends on how plants were propagated and grown in the nursery.
Nurseries differ in size and shape: some nurseries diversify, while others specialize in growing crops specific or suitable for certain geographic region.
Nursery Management is bringing together men (people), money and materials in a framework time, for an economic or sociological purpose.
Quality nursery stock requires quality nursery management.
The goal of a good nursery manager is the timely and cost efficient production of healthy, uniform plants with a strong fibrous roots system will enable the plant to get established quickly in the field.
Objectives of a plant nursery:
• Facilitates careful tending of plants at a young stage
• Allows use of small space and saves labour during unproductive stages
• Protects plants from harsh field conditions e.g. strong sunshine, hailstorms etc.
• Allows transplanting of plants to the field when large enough to survive relatively harsh conditions e.g. when soil is prone to weeds direct sowing would lead to smothering of young plants.
• Facilitates high vigor by growing in small, well-fertilized media.
• Allows selection of uniform plants which will mature at the same time
Considerations in selecting a site for a plant nursery
Located in an area climatically suitable for the species being propagated
Near a permanent source of water
Should be accessible by all weather roads
It should be located away from tree shade and strong run off channels
Most nursery plants are grown in a mixture of materials. The site should be accessible to a source of good growing mixes.
Before establishment, the following should be considered:
Market availability should be guaranteed to avoid losses
Labour-both skilled and unskilled. Labour needs for nursery production is seasonal. The availability of cheap seasonal labour should be guaranteed. A few permanent staff should be employed.
Cash at hand.
Nursery substrates
Good nursery plant growth and development requires soil substrates that consist of several components e.g. forest soil, sand, well composed organic matter or certain inert materials that enhance quality of the mixture (sand, vermiculite, saw dust).
Characteristics of good media
A good nursery substrate has the following characteristics:
Should be light in weight and easy to transport but heavy enough to hold cuttings and seedlings firmly in place and does not swell or shrink in away that may damage the plant.
Good water holding capacity, aeration and drainage
Free from weed seeds, nematodes and other pathogens
Can be sterilized without changing the characteristics
Adequate fertility (should contain all necessary nutrients for plant growth and development
Readily available
Relatively inexpensive
Such substrate is usually a mixture of forest soil, well-decomposed organic matter and some inert material that will enhance its physical characteristics.
As a rule, the following mixtures (soil: and :manure) and their volumetric proportions can be proposed.
o Heavy textured (clay) soils 1:2:2
o Medium textured (loam) soils 1:1:1
o Light textured (sand) soils 1:0:1
Nursery tools and equipment
The tools used in the nursery should be simple but of good quality. It is worth while spending a bit more on their purchase than having to replace low quality tools frequently. Tools should be used for the purpose they were designed for. Their proper maintenance is one of the main activities of a good nursery manager.
Below is a list of basic equipment needed for a standard nursery.
- Working the soils: hoe, spade, rake, and shovel
- Soil preparation: sieve
- Watering: watering can/hose with nozzle
- Transport: wheelbarrow
- Training young plants secateur
- Grafting: knives, binding tape, sharpening stone, pruner and budding
- Crop protection: Pesticides, Disinfectant
Seedling containers:
- polythene tubes
- plastic containers
- tins, banana fibers
Nursery Hygiene / Management
Area of the nursery should be fenced with entry points kept to a minimum
Always have a footbath at the entrance. The use of Jik detergent in cheap enough.
All workers should have gumboots and over alls if they can be afforded.
Potting bags should be raised on a plant form to minimize the possibility of contamination from the floor.
Elimination of any possible chance of disease transfer through sterilization/disinfecting of media, seeds, buds, scions and cutting tools.
Use of clean seeds/buds/scions.
Crop protection should be observed. Alternative chemicals to avoid resistance
Label and arrange plants
