The foundation of Tree crop production is actually the Nursery practices and management. Performance of the orchard or the plantation depends on the quality of nursery preparation, technique and management.

This article will take you through nursery techniques and practices of the nursery husbandry in Tree crop cultivation. We shall see the purpose of this unit as highlighted in the unit objectives that follow.

Nursery Site Selection

Selecting the right site for a tree crop nursery is a vital step in ensuring the healthy growth and development of tree seedlings. The nursery’s location should provide optimal conditions that promote strong seedling growth and improve the chances of successful transplantation.

Key factors to consider include soil quality, which should be fertile, well-drained, and free from contaminants, as poor soil conditions can hinder seedling growth.

Adequate water supply is also essential for maintaining the moisture levels required for healthy seedlings, and the site should be near a reliable water source to avoid drought stress.

Sunlight is another critical factor, as tree crops need sufficient light for photosynthesis, but too much direct exposure can stress young plants.

Therefore, selecting a site with partial shade or the ability to manage sunlight exposure can be beneficial. Protection from extreme weather conditions, such as strong winds or heavy rainfall, should also be considered to prevent damage to delicate seedlings.

Ease of access to resources such as transportation for moving seedlings, labor for nursery management, and proximity to local markets for selling mature trees or seedlings are important logistical factors.

A well-chosen site contributes not only to the health and vitality of the seedlings but also to the long-term success and efficiency of the nursery.

Proper site selection lays the foundation for a productive tree crop nursery, ensuring high-quality seedlings and maximizing the nursery’s overall potential.

Factors to be considered in selecting a Nursery site

Preparation and Management of Tree Crop Nursery

1. Soil Quality: The soil should be fertile, well-drained, and rich in essential nutrients. Soil that is too sandy or clayey can negatively affect seedling growth. Proper soil testing helps determine pH levels, nutrient content, and drainage capacity, which are critical for healthy seedling development.

2. Water Availability: Access to a reliable and consistent water source is essential. Tree seedlings need regular watering for optimal growth. The nursery should be located near a well or irrigation system to ensure sufficient water supply during dry periods. Water management techniques, like drip irrigation, can be used to avoid waterlogging or wastage.

3. Sunlight: Tree seedlings need adequate sunlight for photosynthesis, but too much direct sun can lead to wilting or leaf scorch. Choosing a site with partial shade or a location that allows for controlled sunlight exposure helps protect the seedlings while still providing enough light for growth.

4. Climate and Weather Protection: The nursery site should be protected from extreme weather conditions, such as heavy winds, frost, or excessive rainfall, which can damage young plants. Selecting a location that is shielded from these elements, such as near windbreaks or on slightly elevated ground, can help create a stable and conducive environment for seedling growth.

5. Accessibility: The nursery should be easily accessible by road for the transportation of seedlings, supplies, and workers. A location with good infrastructure and transportation links helps reduce operational challenges and costs. Proximity to urban areas or markets is also beneficial for selling the seedlings or matured trees.

6. Topography: The topography of the site plays a significant role in water drainage and seedling health. Flat or gently sloping land is ideal for easy water distribution and air circulation, which helps prevent diseases and promotes healthy root development. Avoid steep slopes that can lead to soil erosion.

7. Security: The site should be secure from theft or vandalism, as nurseries are often targeted for valuable seedlings or equipment. It is important to select a location with good security or consider setting up protective measures like fencing or surveillance systems to safeguard the nursery.

8. Proximity to Pest and Disease-Free Zones: Selecting a location away from areas prone to pests and diseases helps reduce the risk of infestation. Pests and diseases can spread rapidly in nurseries and severely impact the health of the seedlings. Ensuring that the site is clean and free from such threats is crucial for maintaining healthy crops.

9. Availability of Labor: The proximity to labor sources is essential for the day-to-day management of the nursery. The site should be near communities with available skilled or unskilled workers who can assist with tasks like planting, watering, weeding, and general nursery care.

10. Environmental Impact and Sustainability: The chosen site should align with sustainable farming practices, avoiding areas that may lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, or land degradation. It’s important to consider environmental factors and select a site that allows for sustainable and eco-friendly nursery management.

Preparation of Nursery Bed

You must have cleared the site of the trash, laid out the nursery site according to plan, planted the wind breaks and fenced the nursery.

Erecting of permanent supports for shading materials, digging the nursery beds or laying polythene bags must have been completed.

Your nursery beds, in addition to providing an appropriate growing medium for seeds and seedlings, also help to conserve nursery soils from erosion.

Nursery seed beds are prepared to suit seasons of operation. You can prepare your seed beds to the size of your choice. The fact you must bear in mind is that you should be able to operate on the bed with your hands reaching the other end. The usual size if 1.5m in width, length as you may desire.

Types of Nursery Beds

There are two types of nursery beds.

1. Raised beds: These are designed for wet or raining season. The distinguishing characteristic is that the bed is raised about 10-15cm above the level of the pathway, purposely to allow for good drainage and prevent water logged beds

2. Sunken beds: The distinguishing feature is that the beds are sunken 10 – 15cm below the level of the pathway purposely to conserve moisture and retain water during dry season.

Application of Nematocide and Fertilizers

Three weeks before sowing the seeds, you must apply a nematocide, usually nemagon to destroy any nematodes in the nursery at the rate of 1gm per cm2.

This usually one match box of nemagon per cm2. After this, you will now apply your fertilizers- superphosphate and nitrogen at the rates of 50kg and 100kg per hectare respectively.

You could broadcast your seed thinly but evenly on the bed, but it is better that you make shallow channels of 2cm in between rows and 1 cm deep.

Sowing of Seed

You must have selected good seed of known history. Seed with:
i. good quality

ii. high yield ability

iii. good growth and uniformity

iv. freedom from diseases and pests (virus and bacterial infections)

v. high viability

You can now sow your seed by drilling thinly about evenly in the channels, covering lightly with soil.

Mulching and Watering

The seed bed will now be covered with mulch to retain moisture. The sown seed needs sufficient moisture to enhance germination. You should supply water as required, more often during the dry season than the wet season.

Too much water will make the seed to go rotten while insufficient water will dry up the seed and germination will be adversely affected.

Nursery Management

Many tree crop nurseries in Nigeria have collapsed because of poor management. You need to note some essential aspects of nursery management such as:-

1. Routine hygiene: this will provide healthy environment to workers and aids to minimize pests and diseases. Cleanliness is established through regular weed control, removal of trash and other rubbish use of incinerator and proper handling of nursery materials and tools.

2. Storage of nursery tools and equipment: You must clean nursery tools and equipment and store them securely each day after use. The tools shed must be properly organised and store items well labeled. You should keep a separate inventory for the nursery.

3. Labour management: You will realize that nursery labor is specialized and this makes it very important to ensure that labourers, attendants and supervisors are carefully managed. You must provide adequate protection to workers by supply of uniforms (overalls) gloves, aprons, etc for nursery workers. This is paramount to the success of your nursery.

4. First aid box: It is imperative that you provide a first aid box in the nursery. The nursery staff force must include somebody who has former training in first aid management, especially in treating fresh wounds, snake and scorpion bits and similar injuries.

Shade Management

It is usual that the amount of light received by the unit leaf surface will be too high in young plants which have recently germinated and have not yet developed a large leaf area.

You will discover that lead growth or leaf expansion would improve with some degree of Shade. Shade is therefore recommended in the early stages for most of the tree crops such as mango, citrus, cocoa, oil palm, rubber and in any other crop nurseries. A few crops such as coconut may not like shade.

Under hot drying conditions some shade will reduce the loss of water and promote leaf expansion. Another reason for shading nursery plants and nursery materials occurs as a result of the operations involved in vegetative propagation.

With cuttings for example you will discover that the material will be very sensitive to moisture stress before rooting has taken place.

It is therefore desirable to provide shade for young seedlings before they become very leafy, and for cuttings and other vegetatively propagated material.

You will experience that after sometime, however, young plants will grow larger and inter and intra plant shading will occur so that it usually becomes necessary to remove the shade.

Germinating the Seed

The seeds of most tropical tree crops germinate readily when fresh, but they lose their viability on storage (e.g. cocoa, coffee, kola). With one important tree crop however, the oil palm, seed germination is very low when the seeds are fresh.

You will discover that oil palm seeds require a period of heat treatment to increase germ inability and you must give it.

In conclusion, the success of a tree crop nursery relies heavily on meticulous preparation and effective management. From selecting the right site with fertile soil, adequate water, and protection from extreme weather, to preparing the nursery beds and ensuring proper water and fertilizer application, each step contributes to the growth of strong, healthy seedlings.

Nursery management practices, including regular hygiene, effective labor management, and proper storage of tools, are crucial for maintaining a productive environment. Additionally, proper shade management and attention to specific needs of various tree crops, such as germination conditions for oil palm, ensure optimal growth conditions.

Farmers can lay a solid foundation for their tree crop production, ensuring healthy seedlings that will thrive in the orchard or plantation by following these practices.

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