Nursery

1. Introduction
Nursery is a place where seedling, sapling or any other planting materials are raised and sold out for planting in garden and orchards. The pre-requisite of successful and remunerative fruit production is the availability of true-to-type, healthy and good quality planting materials. Setting up of a fruit nursery is a long-term venture and requires careful planning and expertise, because mistakes committed initially cannot be rectified easily and may adversely affect the return from investment. Therefore, one should pay attention on every aspect when nursery is to be established.

2. Importance of fruit nursery

1. The young seedlings require special attention during the first few weeks after germination. It is easier and economical to look after the young and tender seedlings growing in nursery bed in a small area than in 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 labour. 3. Cuttings are best rooted in mist chamber, which is an integrated part of a nursery. 4. Direct sowing method is not so successful when compared with transplanting of seedlings raised in nursery. 5. Nursery hardened plants are preferred for causality replacement in orchard. 6. Raising of seedlings in nursery provides more time for pre-planting preparations in field. 7. Seasoning of seedlings against natural odds is only possible in nursery.

3. Classification of nursery
Nursery can broadly be grouped into two on the basis of its size and purpose: 1. Home nursery 2. Commercial nursery 3.1 Home nursery Home nursery is the area where planting materials are specifically grown only to cater the needs of the growers garden. The area is small and primary consideration is the raising quality materials. Costly methods of nursery practices are adopted. 3.2 Commercial nursery The commercial nursery is mainly concerned with economic return from the investment and therefore very expensive nursery practices are avoided. The quality of the products is somewhat reduced. This type of nursery can be sub divided into two groups.