Introductory Agroforestry (1+1)

CLASSIFICATION OF NURSERIES

Nurseries are classified either on the basis of irrigation facility/moisture content or the duration of their use.

A) ON THE BASIS OF IRRIGATION FACILITY NURSERIES ARE CLASSIFIED INTO:

a) DRY NURSERY – It is a nursery that is maintained without any irrigation or other artificial watering.

b) WET NURSERY – It is a nursery that is maintained by irrigation or other artificial watering during the dry periods.

B) ON THE BASIS OF DURATION OF THEIR USE NURSERIES ARE CLASSIFIED INTO:

a) TEMPORARY NURSERY

It is a nursery that is maintained for supplying nursery stock for a short period after which it is abandoned. Normally it is made in the plantation area or in previous year’s plantation if it is close by. It is also referred to as field nursery which is defined as a temporary nursery found in or adjoining the planting area. As it is intended to meet the requirements of a limited area, it is usually small in extent.

ADVANTAGES OF TEMPORARY NURSERY:
It is usually made in newly cleared sites fairly rich in humus, and therefore does not require any manuring. Eucalyptus hybrid nurseries are an exception to the general rule. There is minimum trouble with the weeds, destructive insects and diseases. It enables raising of species in their optimum altitudinal zone in hills. It also enables easy, quick and cheap transport of planting stock without any serious damage or shock.

DISADVANTAGES OF TEMPORARY NURSERY:
As it is made in out-of-way places, proper supervision is not possible. In the absence of irrigation facility, the growth of seedlings is, usually, slow and there is usually heavy mortality in them. It is relatively costlier to maintain as compared to a permanent nursery.

b) PERMANENT NURSERY

It is a nursery that is maintained for supplying nursery stock for a long time on a permanent basis. The duration of services and life of permanent nursery is long and it is maintained till seedlings can be raised in it at reasonable cost. As it is intended to meet the requirements of one or more ranges, it is relatively larger and near to the headquarters of some subordinate for proper supervision. It should be on or near some road for quick and easy transport of nursery stock. As plants are raised year after year for long time, its initial fertility dwindles and it has to be manured regularly. It has facilities for irrigation and shading of plants.