CS 5120 -Commercial Nursery Management March 2017 2 credits 30 hrs Time 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm Day Sunday Venue: Crop Science Auditorium 1
CS 5120 -Commercial Nursery Management Course Coordinator Dr. R.M. Fonseka Teaching Panel: 1. Dr. RM Fonseka 2. Dr. Mojith Ariyaratne 3. Visiting Lecturer 2
CS 5120-Commercial Nursery Management Evaluation Procedure Quizzes/Assignments/ Presentations - 15% Mid Semester Examination - 35% End Semester Examination - 50% 3
CS 5120 -Commercial Nursery Management LECTURE # 1 INTRODUCTION 4
Introduction SL is recognized as one of the best quality floriculture production centers in the world Sri Lanka is endowed with different climatic conditions, enabling to develop floricultural products ranging from tropical to temperate Availability of rich variation of flora and fauna Availability of natural substrate (coco-peat) as a growing media, suitable climate for cultivation of tropical & temperate products, skilled & knowledgeable workforce are the strengths of the 5 industry
SL - Department of Agriculture has organised a well-equipped Plant Quarantine Service - provide supervisory and advisory roles in IPM practices and disease control mechanisms BIA International airport provides a passage for exports Europe is the main market for floriculture products; - 60% of Sri Lankan exports are destined to the Western continent, - Japan, Middle East, USA and Korea are the other key markets. 6
Sri Lanka Floriculture products 7
Ornamental Foliage A wide range of tropical plant varieties are exported as Rooted cuttings, Un-rooted cuttings and canes (semi-finished plant material) to be used as mother plants' to grow indoor and outdoor plants in overseas nurseries Assortment includes both local and imported varieties 9
Cut Decorative Foliage Tropical cut greenery is used worldwide for decorative purposes Both native and exotic mother plants are used for the production of foliage and decorative plants 10
Hardy tropical trees flowering bushes, shrubs, climbers, plants for hedges & ground covers used for landscaping are produced for export 11
Tissue Cultured Plants Ornamental industry has relied immensely on micropropagation Modern laboratories produce a wide range of tissue cultured plants for both domestic and overseas markets Research and development in this industry continues on innovative techniques and optimization of requirements 12
F1 Flower Seeds Hybrid Flower Seeds Varieties such as Petunia, Dianthus, Pelargonium, Impatiens, Marigold, Gerbera, Begonia, Zinnia & Antirrhinum are produced by nurserymen The employees are highly skilled and qualified in F1 hybrid flower seed production, which involves highly specialized operations (i.e. hand 13 pollination)
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Nursery is. A Place where plants are grown for transplanting, for use as stocks for budding and grafting, fruit seedlings for orchards tree seedlings for forests or For export
Nursery in horticulture an establishment or area for propagation, breeding, and early cultivation of horticulture plants 16
Nursery plant production in Horticulture a very specialized and an intensified form of Agriculture 17
Nursery in Horticulture Most of the horticultural crops are vegetatively propagated for which nursery is necessary Nursery plants are produced in specialized production facilities - controlled/monitored conditions to maximize their growth and standardize the quality Field nurseries are similar to crop farms Plants are grown directly in the soil
Specific Importance of Plant Nursery 1. Seedlings and grafts are produced in nursery - fruit orchards and ornamental gardens can be established with minimum care, cost and maintenance 2. The nursery planting materials are available at the beginning of the planting season - Saves time, money and efforts of the farmers to raise seedlings 3. A wide scope for fruit orchards, ornamentals, vegetables, and landscape gardens, public gardens, highways and Housing schemes
Plant Nurseries deal with the propagation and production of seedlings, young trees, Shrubs, vines and ground covers, Turf Ornamental plants/cut foliage/cut flowers Aquarium Plants and other crops for landscaping, interior decorations or outdoor planting & exports
Production of Nursery plants involve Growing of a wide range of plants with diverse cultural practices Eg. Rooted cuttings, Trees, Shrubs, Ground Covers, & Vines, cut flowers, cut foliage, Aquarium Plants etc. A single nursery may grow one to a few cultivars or about 100s of different crops The knowledge on plant characteristics is important 21
Production of Nursery plants involve Hybridizing plants to create new cultivars This enterprise requires a thorough knowledge of the species, genetics and physiology of the plants to be bred. Once a plant is developed and evaluated it can be introduced to the public Plants are patent protected for 20 years and many hybridizers trademark a name particular to the plant they are introducing
In order to be a successful nursery operator. Must have a basic knowledge of propagation, fertility/irrigation/potting media, plant growth characteristics and pruning, construction and maintenance practices for greenhouses, Pest/disease/weed control practices, Packaging/storage/transport Economics, business management and marketing etc. 23
The modern nursery.. Staffed by horticulture experts and Equipped with facilities for both experimental and mass production, And supplies homegardeners, flower and fruit growers, farmers, exporters and foresters with seeds and seedling, rooted cuttings cut flowers etc. 24
Starting a Commercial Nursery A significant amount of study should be undertaken before a commercial retail or wholesale nursery is started 25
Starting a Commercial Nursery cont d Whatever your reasons are for starting in the nursery business, a number of things and or - you should know - resources you should have - be able to acquire 26
1. Type of Business Many nursery businesses have diversified to provide a variety of products and services to insure ` rapid return on their investment 27
Types of Nurseries According to Type of Plants Grown 1. Fruit Plant Nurseries Fruit crops are mainly propagated vegetatively and need special techniques for propagations and maintenance. Eg. Mango, Guava, Pomegranate, Oranges etc. Production of grafts and Maintaining mother plants - to obtain scions and rootstocks
Types of Nurseries cont d. 2. Ornamental Plant Nurseries Ornamental and floricultural crops are numerous and are propagated vegetatively, Eg: gladiolus, carnation, roses, lilies etc. A large group of ornamental plants, which is propagated by seeds and seedling; Eg: Asters, Marigolds, Salvias, etc.
Types of Nurseries cont d. 3. Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Nurseries There is considerable increase in people adopting ayurvedic medicines with the changing life style It is also necessary to conserve the fast depleting precious medicinal and aromatic plants. To save and multiply the valuable medicinal and other plants nurseries specializing in these plants flourished
Types of Nurseries cont d. 4. Forest Plant Nursery To multiply forest plants 5. Vegetable Nurseries All vegetables except few like potatoes, sweet potato, bulbous vegetables and some other are raised by seedlings * Seedlings are to be produced on a large scale in short period
Hi-Tech Nurseries Increase in the demand for certain commercial plants. eg: Tissue cultured banana, gerbera and carnation etc. It is not possible to fulfill this requirement by ordinary or common nursery practices Necessity to have special techniques and methods to meet the demand and only Hi-tech nurseries can satisfy this type of demand
Hi-Tech Nurseries These nurseries grow plants in greenhouses, glass or a plastic tunnel, to protect young plants from harsh weather, In Modern greenhouses - automated control of temperature, ventilation, light, watering and fertilizing Some have fold-back roofs to allow "hardeningoff" of plants Avoids manual transfer of plants to the outdoor
Type of Nurseries (according to sales) There are 02 basic nursery types: 1. Retail nurseries Small, locally owned nurseries Sell annuals, ornamental trees, landscaping plants to the general public or companies 34
Type of Nurseries cont d.. 2. Wholesale nurseries, Usually grow plants in bulk for the purpose of selling to large clients Eg- contract growers and distributors of nursery stock to other nurserymen, exporters landscape contractors and retail outlets 35
Type of Nurseries cont d.. Online Nurseries Seeds Bulbs potted plants Bedding plants etc. 36
2. Know your plant Knowledge on plant characteristics is important Requires a thorough knowledge on propagation, crop management, & genetics and physiology of the plants to be grow/bred 37
2. Know your plant cont d.. An extensive study of varieties demanded by customers, prevalent pest and disease incidences and agro-climatic situation must be studied before selecting plant types to be propagated in the nursery 38
3. Defining the Market Who is the customer? This question will be partially answered by the type of business you choose (landscape, retail, or wholesale) and the location of your operation (suburban or rural) 39
Market cont d Each nursery owner must analyze and organize his or her own marketing channels, develop a sales program, prepare the product for distribution, extend credit 40
4. What not to grow/sell There are plants known to be invasive that should not be grown, introduced, or sold Check for a list of noxious weeds. invasive species and native plants etc. 41
5. Land Resources A study of the land resources is always a first order of priority Mistakes are always costly in time and money 42
6. Labor Labor is an important resource Most nurseries remain highly labor-intensive Skilled as well as unskilled man power is necessary for grafting, budding, weeding, irrigation, spraying, dusting, training, pruning, etc Labor should be available at reasonable rates. manpower accounts for 70 per cent of the production costs of a horticultural nursery In case of labor shortage, mechanization is essential
Labor cont d.. With expensive labor, day to day operations in nurseries are difficult to perform This affects the productivity and sustainability of a nursery Operations like filling, sowing, irrigation, climate control, spraying etc. can be mechanized 44
7. Mother Plants The most important factor for successful nursery Separate planting of mother plants is necessary Mother plants should be authentic and obtained fro reliable nurseries Mother plants should be selected very carefully as the sale of the nursery stock depends on the mother plants used for the propagation
8 Credit /Finance: Nursery production for horticultural plants is highly capital intensive Timely availability of finance is necessary for management of day to day activities in a nursery 46
9 Structures: Nursery stock is grown in different structures like greenhouse, shade net house, walking tunnels, low tunnels, mist chambers etc. These structures enable year round production in nursery and efficient use of resources like planting material, irrigation water, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, etc. 47
10 Irrigation: Water is the most important resource in a nursery Irrigation water with good quality and quantity must be available 11. Plant Protection: Plants are prone to diseases and pests Timely application of control measures important without affecting growth of plants (IPM ) 48
12. Technology Technological advances like new propagation methods, safer chemicals, better management practices need to be adopted to maximize quality, quantity and profit from the production 49
Operations in Nurseries 1. Production of genetically pure nursery Stocks and planting material is essential for healthy and vigorous plant growth Both stock and scion should be genetically pure Planting material should be satisfactory in quantity and quality and easily available for further multiplication
cont d.. Growers must label their nursery crops in a standardized manner that is easily understood by all employees Labels of nursery stock must be durable as well as correctly placed
Cont d 2. Export of Nursery Stock Globalization has improved the chances of export of quality planting material to other countries. Special techniques and care is required for exporting the nursery material
Cont d 3. Employment Generation a huge demand of skilled professionals for grafting, budding, potting, repotting and other nursery operations Nursery provides employment opportunities for technical, skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled labor a very remunerative enterprise
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