forestry

As we all know that nursery is an area where plants are raised for eventual planting out. It consists of paths, nursery beds, irrigation channels etc. On the basis of the kind of plants growing in them, nursery beds are classified into seedlings bed and transplant beds. Seedling beds are those nursery beds in which seedlings are raised either for transplanting in other bed or for planting out.

A nursery which has only seedling beds i.e. in which seedlings only are raised, no transplanting being done is called seedlings nursery. Transplant beds are those nursery beds in which seedlings in which seedlings raised in seedling beds are transplanted before planting out in forest. A nursery which has only transplant beds i.e., in which seedlings are transplanted in preparation for forest planting is called transplant nursery.

• For artificial regeneration plants have first to be raised under protected condition and then transplanted out in the field to grow into a forest.

• Plants are produced for fodder, forest, fruit and bioengineering requirements.

Importance of Forest Nursery:

1. Some important species do not need seed every year. Plantation of these species can be raised annually only by collecting all available seed in years and sowing it in nursery to raise seedlings to be planted out in various years.

2. Some species grow very slowly and if the seed of these species is sown directly in plantation, the seedlings are most likely to be swamped by weeds and killed. Therefore, slow growing species are generally raised in nursery and planted only when the seedlings are not liable to be damaged by weeds.

3. Success of roadside avenue plantations depends largely on planting tall and study plants which can only be obtained from nursery.

4. Plantations of some species when raised by direct sowing are not so successful as when raised by planting. In such cases, nursery is an essential part of artificial regeneration of those species.

5. The best method of introduction of exotics, viz tropical pines, poplars, Eucalyptus, etc is only by planting and therefore nursery is very essential for them.

6. Planting of nursery-grown plants is surest method of artificially regenerating poor and barren sites.

7. Causalities in plantations have to be replaced either in the year of formation or in the next year. Sowing done in the gaps are liable to be unsuccessful as a result of suppression from weeds and cannot catch up the plants from original sowing. Therefore, replacement of causalities is always is done by planting nursery-grown plants or stumps and so nursery is very essential for causality replacement.

Nursery Site Selection:
The selection of an appropriate nursery site is the most important decision affecting the efficient production of good quality plants. The following are some of the technical factors which need to be considered while setting a nursery.

1. Water Supply: In order to have the good irrigation facilities, it should be situated near or slightly below the source of adequate water supply. Reliable (understanding with villagers) and adequate water supply is essential. Water source should be near and at the higher level than nursery site. Water should be available throughout the year.

2. Availability of suitable soil: For raising seedlings in polythene pot (tube) soil of the actual nursery itself is not important. There should be suitable source of soil preferably forest topsoil and sand within easy reach of the nursery. Clayey soils should not be selected as their aeration and drainage is poor and they are liable to crack during summer.
The symbiotic organism (Micorrhiza and Rhizobium) should be present in soil for following reasons.
• Most of the trees grow best if their roots are associated with certain symbionts, which help in their nutrition.
• Mostly these organisms are found naturally but in some cases artificial inoculation are needed.

3. Access: nursery should be situated as centrally as possible with reference to the area to be planted. It should preferably be near a Ranger’s or forester’s quarter for close and regular supervision i.e. nursery should be near to the plantation site to supply soil and other materials and other transportation of seedlings and access road should be usable at all seasons of year.

4. Aspect: Slope with Southey aspect is much warmer and chosen for hill nursery at high elevation while in low elevation north facing slope is chosen.

5. Slope: The ideal slope is about 5 degree which is steep enough to allow proper drainage.
Complete flat land should be avoided; it is likely to become water logged during monsoon rains.
Steeper slopes will have to be terraced and very steep slopes should be avoided as it, may be difficult to make a nursery bed and path on each side to allow access to the beds.

6. Exposure to frost, strong winds and flooding: at high altitudes, sites, which are particularly liable to frost damage, should be avoided. Sites exposed to strong winds and with danger of flooding or landslides should be avoided.

7. Labor availability: labor should be available without difficulty preferably near a village so that they don’t have to walk much for work.

8. Availability of land: There should be enough land to raise the numbers of seedlings needed and if possible room for expansion. Legal enquiries should be made about the legal ownership of the land.