Management of nursery to produce quality planting stock for agroforestry system

Abstract

Nursery plants require due care and attention after having either emerged from the seeds or have been raised from other sources like rootstock or through tissue culture technique. Generally they are grown in the open field under the protection of “Mother Nature†wherein they should be able to face the local environment. It is the duty of nursery grower to supply the nursery plants with suitable conditions necessary for their development and growth. This is the major work of management in the nurseries which includes all such operations right from the emergence of young plantlet till they fully become grown-up or ready for uprooting and transplanting in the fields. Best management practices include soil conservation, efficient water use, water sources protection and reduced chemical use through cultural and biological means, pest, disease and weed management methods. These practices are useful for both the growers and environment.