eChapters

Nursery

An area where the planting materials are raised for sowing or planting in garden or fields, in other words, the nursery industry involves the production and distribution of different kind of planting material.

Some of the vegetables sown directly in the field are Okra, Pea, Cowpea, Frenchbean Dolichosbean, Radish, Carrot, Bottle gourd, Bitter gourd, Ridge gourd, Spongegourd,Ashgourd, Muskmelon, Watermelon, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Roundmelon, Spinachbeet, Spinach, Coriander, Amaranthus, Lettuce, Fenugreek etc. Some vegetables are propagated through vegetative means like Colocasia, Ginger, Garlic, Potato, Sweet potato, Drumstick, Asparagus, Elephant foot, Pointedgourd and Ivygourd. But there are certain vegetables having very small seeds and first sown in the nursery for better care and to combat the main field. Such vegetables are Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli, Capsicum, Broccoli, Endive, Chicory, Cabbage, cauliflower, Khol-Khol, Kale, Parsley, Lettuce etc.

Raising of seedlings in the nursery beds is economic as well as easier to take care of young, tender seedlings against disease, insect pests and weeds. Better combat against biotic stress like bright sun, rains and low temperature and economisation by saving land, labour and capital to fetch higher market price.

Introduction

Management is the process of successfully accomplishing tasks with and through others. It is all about having more control and getting better results as a result of having more control. Many parts of nursery administration are unrelated to horticulture in any way. Nurseries, both wholesale and retail, are frequently managed by persons who have worked in a range of sectors. Nutrient management, disease control, irrigation management, insect pest management, and marketing management are just a few of the nursery management techniques that are necessary for a successful nursery output. A nursery manager and employees who spend a lot of time for potting plants, weeding plants, or conversing with clients may discover that they do not spend enough time for managing the nursery, resulting in a loss of control. Many activities are carried out during management, such as planning - need for planting material, provision of mother blocks, land area requirements, water supply, working equipment, growth structures, and input availability. Implementation - land treatment, biotic interference and soil erosion prevention, correct layout, input supply, and so forth. However, in a small nursery where several jobs are required, the manager must strike a delicate balance between the numerous responsibilities. Managers who are well informed can provide good management; thus, the first duty of every manager is to become knowledgeable about the company for which they are responsible.

A nursery is a place, where seedling, saplings, trees, shrubs, and other plant materials are grown and maintained until they are placed in a permanent place.

Advantages of Nursery

1. The area being small and compact, it is convenient and easy to grow large number of seedlings per unit area.
2. Management of favourable growing conditions becomes easy and feasible.
3. Easy management of pests and diseases in compact area.
4. Establishment of disease free and virus free scion bank.
5. Ensure optimum utilization of labour, water, nutrients and other inputs.
6. Ensure easy and cheap availability of plants.
7. Promotion of export through supply and processing of quality plant materials.

1. SELECTION OF SITE

Select a location where one could ensure semi-shady conditions. Well drained medium-loam soil; rich in organic matter and neutral soil pH. An irrigation source in the vicinity with natural pH water is highly desirable.

I. FILL UPS

1. _____ number of beds measuring 8 m, 0.6 m are sufficient for raising sufficient seedling for one hectare.
2. Seeds are sown singly at _____distance apart in the furrow.

Nursery: Nursery is a place where seedling, saplings or any other planting materials are raised, propagated, multiplied and sold out for planting.

Importance of a Nursery

1.    The young seedling requires special attention during the first few weeks after germination. It is easier and economical to look after the young and tender seedling growing in nursery bed in a small area than in the large permanent site.

2.    Majority of fruit crops are propagated by vegetative means. The propagules require special skill and aftercare before transferring them in the main field in a controlled condition in nursery, all these can be provided successfully by skilled labours.

3.    Direct sowing method is not successful when compared with transplanting of seedling raised in nursery.

4.    Nursery hardened plants are preferred for causality replacement in orchards.

5.    Besides these, raising of seedling or sapling in nursery provides more time for replanting preparations.

6.    Seasoning of seeding against natural odds is only possible in nursery.

Nursery is one of the important components of horticultural crop production. Nursery is place where young crop plants are raised under intensive care for later transplanting to the field. Nurseries may be classified as follows. On the basis of the irrigation facilities, the nurseries are dry or wet nurseries.

1. Dry Nurseries: Generally such types of nurseries are observed in forestry. It is maintained without any irrigation or artificial watering. The rab nurseries of Western Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat come under this category. The rab or semi-rab nurseries are made in the plantation areas on small well-burnt patches of land usually 0.01 to 0.05 ha mainly for supplying teak stumps. The seeds are sown in lines 45 cm apart just before the onset of monsoon. Normally no elaborate beds are made, no fencing is made and no irrigation is provided as compared to other nurseries.

Introduction

Forest restoration is a complex process that requires many steps to ensure successful forest establishment. These steps include choosing suitable tree species and provenances, applying nursery cultural practices to produce quality seedlings and making site modifications to improve the physical environment of the restoration site (Grassnickle, 2000). Conifers are the most important tree species of the western Himalayas and J&K. There are about 16 species spread over 9 genera in 3 families. Among these families, Pinaceae, with seven species in 4 genera, is the most dominant, while Taxodiaceae, with 2 species in 2 genera, is the least represented. Out of the total taxa, 7 species belonging to 5 genera are exotic and exist in cultivation only.

1. INTRODUCTION

Nursery management is the backbone of fruit industry. The nurseries will have to play vital role in planned work for increasing the area under orchard. They are indeed the hub on which the success of an orchard depends. It provides continuous supply of healthy and certified planting material. So, one should give utmost attention while raising fruit plants.

The fruit plants are the foundation on which an orchard is built. If the plants are reliable and of guaranted performance, they will be high yielding and will produce quality fruits. There are many nurserymen in several fruit belts of the country who multiply thousands of fruit plants vegetatively for sale. It is desirable to raise only reliable, true-to-type, disease resistant and vigorous and precocious plants in order to have success in the fruit development programme in the country. At present there are several research stations and progeny- cum-demonstration orchards, Govt nurseries and also private registered nurseries engaged in the propagation of fruit plants.

Stone fruits like peaches, plums, apricots, almonds and cherries liked by one and all throughout the world for its colour, taste and nutritional value and grown in all part of the temperate zone and lower hill area of the country. The common procedure to raise nursery trees is to grow rootstocks from seeds or cuttings and then to bud known suitable varieties upon them. The stone fruits do not come true- to-type when raised from seed and therefore, nursery plants are generally raised through vegetative methods of propagation either on their own roots by cuttings or layering techniques or on the roots of other plants (rootstocks) by budding and grafting techniques. Rootstocks play an important role in quality fruit production. The stone fruits are generally propagated on rootstocks rather than on their own roots to have an advantage of rootstocks, like growth control, precocity, cropping and resistance to insect-pest and diseases.

1. INTRODUCTION

The demand for high quality planting material is steadily increasing due to interest in vegetable gardening. The need of setting up plant nurseries to meet the demands of the people has been felt by small and marginal farmers as well as by gardeners and farm house owners. In order to meet this demand, there is ample scope for introduction of small nurseries which will serve to augment the incomes of needy sections of rural society. Almost all vegetables crops are propagated by seeds, except sweet potatoes, asparagus, garlic, potato etc., which does better if propagated vegetatively. Among the vegetable crops which are propagated by seeds, cucurbits, beans, peas, radish, turnip, carrots and leafy vegetables seeds are sown directly in the fields. Other vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, tomato, onion, chilli etc. are first sown in nursery beds where seedlings are raised and then transplanted.

Apricot is an important fruit grown in the dry temperate and mild-hill regions of India. The fruit belongs to the family Rosaceae and genus Prunus. The original apricots are native to China, whereas wild apricot, which is known as ‘Zardalu’, is indigenous to India. Wild apricots are found at a low altitude of 1500 m and as high as 4000 m a s l. The cold hardy trees are hardier than peach and almond and can tolerate winter temperatures as low as -30ºC. They are drought- tolerant and can be grown in a variety of soils, but deep, fertile and well- drained loamy soil with a pH value of 6.0 to 6.8 is suitable for their growth and development. Apricots are found the world over at low altitudes of 150 m and as high as 4000 m a s l.

Nursery rearing of bivalves and molluscs serves as an essential transitional phase in shellfish aquaculture, linking hatchery production to grow-out farming. During this stage, juvenile bivalves, called spat, or young molluscs are carefully raised in controlled or semi-controlled environments to promote their survival, healthy development, and preparation for transfer to open water farming systems. In India and Southeast Asia, common species include edible oysters (Crassostrea spp.), green mussels (Perna viridis), and clams (Meretrix spp.), while some molluscs such as abalone and gastropods are cultivated in specialized nursery setups. This nursery phase begins when larvae settle and transform into spat, typically measuring between 0.3 and 1 mm. These young shellfish are especially sensitive to changes in the environment, predators, silt, and diseases. To protect them, they are reared in nursery systems like upwelling or downwelling tanks, raceways, or floating mesh containers in clean coastal waters. Some hatcheries use land-based tanks equipped with filtered seawater and aeration. Optimal nursery conditions include maintaining water temperatures between 24 and 30°C, salinity levels of 25 to 35 ppt, and dissolved oxygen above 5 mg/L. Preventing biofouling through regular cleaning of nursery equipment is critical, as fouling can restrict water circulation and feeding. The spat feed by filtering microalgae such as Isochrysis, Chaetoceros, or Skeletonema, which are either supplied as live feed or cultivated within the nursery environment. The nursery period usually lasts 3 to 6 weeks, varying by species and growth rate. By its end, the spat reach 5 to 10 mm in size and are ready for transfer to grow-out systems like racks, rafts, poles, or bottom culture. Successful nursery rearing improves survival rates, ensures more uniform growth, and boosts the overall efficiency and sustainability of mollusc farming.

Indian Major Carps (IMC)—namely Catla (Catla catla), Rohu (Labeo rohita), and Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala)—form the foundation of freshwater fish farming in India. These species contribute heavily to national fish production and are vital for supporting food security, rural livelihoods, and income generation. The nursery phase is a key transitional stage where hatchlings (spawn) are nurtured into fry in a controlled environment. Proper management during this stage is essential to ensure high survival rates, healthy growth, and the production of disease-free seed for stocking in grow-out ponds. Nursery rearing serves as a vital link between hatchery output and commercial fish farming. Adopting scientific nursery practices enhances the quality of fry, minimizes mortality, and boosts overall aquaculture efficiency. As India pushes for greater sustainable aquaculture yields, well-managed nursery systems play a central role in strengthening the fish seed supply chain.

3.1 INTRODUCTION

A nursery is a place, where seedlings, saplings, trees, shrubs and other plant materials are grown under intensive care and maintained until they are ready for final transplanting in the main field. The importance of the best quality planting material as an initial investment is a well-realized factor for persons engaged in horticulture field. So, nurseries have great demand for the production of plants, bulbs, rhizomes, suckers and grafts. But in general, good quality and assured planting material at reasonable price is not available in most of the cases. Nursery is the basic need of horticulture. Plant propagation techniques and practices is the core of horticulture nurseries. The planting materials for horticultural plantations are raised from seeds and vegetative parts. The difficulty of procuring seeds and their rising cost makes it necessary to find means to increase seedling survival and growth.

5.1 INTRODUCTION

The importance of the best quality planting material as an initial investment is a well-realized factor for persons engaged in horticulture field. So, nurseries have great demand for the production of plants, bulbs, rhizomes, suckers and grafts. But in general, good quality and assured planting material at reasonable price is not available many a times. Nursery is the basic need of horticulture. Plant propagation techniques and practices is the core of horticulture nurseries. The planting materials for horticultural plantations are raised from seeds and vegetative parts. The difficulty of procuring tree seeds and their rising cost makes it necessary to find means to increase seedling survival and growth.

Raising a nursery needs a great skill. Nursery business has become an agro- business for the unemployed youths. Generally, various commercial crop growers require a good quality saplings or grafts of genuine type. So, nursery raising is quite a remunerative enterprise.

Nursery is a special place where seeds are sown, plants are propagated, grown, nurtured to usable size for planting or for sale. Nurseries provide the necessary control of moisture, light, soil and predators and allow production of healthy and hardy seedlings.

Pot mixture is the media, used in the pots for propagation of nursery plants. It is the combination of different materials in a particular proportion to create better environment for rooting, growth and development of plants.

The most commonly used ingredients to make potting mixture areas follows

Introduction

Nursery is an art of raising and selling seedlings, saplings, and other planting materials for use in gardens and orchards. The availability of true to type, healthy and high quality planting materials is a must for a successful and profitable fruit production. “Scion block” refers to trees planted to provide scion wood for propagating nursery stock, whereas “seed block” refers to the planting of registered seed trees that will provide seeding rootstock for propagating certified nursery stock. It consists of planting self-rooted mother trees/mother stools with the objective of providing vegetatively propagated (clonal) rootstock for the multiplication of certified nursery stock.

5.1. Origin and distribution

• Native to the Moluccas of Spice Islands of Indonesia.

• In India, cultivated in Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kottayam districts of Kerala, and parts of Kanyakumari and Thenkasi, Nilgiris (Kallar, Buraliar) districts in Tamil Nadu.

5.2. Economic importance

• Fleshy arils surrounding the nutmeg seed are the source of the spice mace.

• Used to flavour many kinds of baked goods, confectionaries, puddings, potatoes, meats, sausages, sauces, vegetables, and beverages such as eggnog.

• Fresh husks are used for making jelly.

• Nutmegs act as stimulant and carminative.

Scale insects:Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli, Parasaisettia nigra:Coccidae

Attack Adults and nymphs feed on plant sap and cause wilting and drying of seedlings and young plants.
 
Brown soft scale: Lecanium sp. (=Coccus) hesperidum : Coccidae

English name : Nutmeg
Botanical name : Myristica fragrans Hout.
Family : Myristicaceae
Chromosome number : 2n = 44
Centre of origin : Indonesia
Nutmeg of commerce is the dried kernel inside the brown and a thin brittle shell. A scarlet aril or mace surrounds the nutmeg. The Word Myristica is derived from the Greek term Myron, which means a sweet liquid distilled from the plant. The composition of dried nutmeg includes volatile oil (6-16%), starch (14-25%), furfural (1.15%), and pectin (0.5-0.6%), while mace contains volatile oil (4-15%) and amylodextrin (25%). Both the seeds and mace are rich in essential oils. The essential oil from nutmeg seeds consists of approximately 80% pinene and camphane, 4% myristicin (which has hallucinogenic properties), as well as p-cymene, d-linalool, terpineol, geraniol, safrole, eugenol, and isoeugenol. Mace oil shares similarities with nutmeg oil but is fresher in aroma. Mace is primarily used as a culinary spice and flavouring agent.