24 Questions
What is an important characteristic of the site regarding sunlight exposure for a tree nursery?
The site should be fully exposed to sunlight
Why should a tree nursery have a gentle slope?
To enhance drainage and prevent waterlogging
For maximum sunlight exposure, in which direction should seed beds be aligned?
East-West
Which factor is considered when choosing the location of a nursery to avoid transportation issues?
Accessibility
Why must a germination shed have a plastic roofing?
To allow some sunlight to penetrate while protecting seeds from rain
What primary purpose does a potting shed serve in a nursery?
To keep the potting medium from getting waterlogged
How does a transplant shed benefit young seedlings?
By protecting them from intense sunlight
What is the purpose of a hardening bed in a nursery?
To gradually prepare seedlings for adverse conditions
What type of root system should a high-quality seedling have?
Many fibrous roots without deformities
Why should 20-30% more seedlings be raised than the quantity required?
Because 20-30% of seedlings will likely be of poor quality
Which factor is crucial for selecting a nursery site?
A light sandy loam soil rich in organic matter
What type of nursery site should be avoided?
Areas with dense weed growth
What is one reason to establish a nursery?
Nurseries provide maximum care for planting stock
Which root condition should result in a seedling being discarded?
Curled, J-shaped roots near the surface
How can a spiraled root system be caused during seedling growth?
A smooth surface of the bag
Which practice is essential before outplanting seedlings?
Exposing to full sunlight and reducing water for a few weeks
What should nursery operators prioritize when producing seedlings?
The high quality of seedlings
What does genetic quality of a seedling refer to?
The genetic characteristics of the germplasm source
Which of the following is considered a characteristic of high-quality seedlings?
Healthy, with dark green leaves
Which factor is NOT mentioned as an aspect that can be improved by good practice within the nursery?
Genetic quality of the seedling
Which is NOT an advantage of high-quality seedlings?
Low timber recovery
What kind of root system is characteristic of high-quality seedlings?
Dense with many fine fibrous hairs and white root tips
Which statement correctly describes the physical quality of seedlings?
It can be improved by good nursery practices
Which target is explicitly mentioned for nursery management concerning seedling production?
Producing high quality rather than a high quantity of seedlings
Study Notes
Nursery Site Selection
- A nursery should have full exposure to sunlight and a gentle slope of 5%.
- It should not be exposed to strong winds and should have seed beds and transplant beds aligned in the East-West direction to maximize sunlight exposure.
Factors to Consider in Selecting a Nursery Site
- Accessibility: the nursery should be centrally located to avoid long-distance transportation of seedlings and should be accessible by foot or by vehicle.
- Water supply: the nursery should be near a water source.
- Size of the area: the nursery should be large enough to accommodate necessary structures.
Structures Needed in a Small-Scale Nursery
- Germination shed: protects seeds from too much sunlight, damage from raindrops, stray animals, and insects, and has a plastic roofing to allow some sunlight to penetrate.
- Potting shed: has a roof to prevent potting medium from getting waterlogged, a dry floor, and is free of weeds and flat for pots to stand after filling.
- Transplant shed: has a cover to protect young transplants from intense sunlight and allows rain to pass through, with sufficient transparency to allow some sunlight to reach seedlings.
- Hardening bed: prepares seedlings for adverse conditions of the planting site by exposing them to full sunlight, reducing watering and fertilizer application, and root pruning.
High-Quality Seedling Characteristics
- Healthy root system with many fibrous roots and free from deformities.
- Sturdy stem with a relatively large root collar diameter.
- Balanced root and shoot mass.
- Free from diseases and has dark green leaves.
- Grown from seeds or wildlings collected from genetically and phenotypically superior mother trees or trees from seed production areas or seed orchards.
Importance of High-Quality Seedlings
- Low mortality rate.
- Low maintenance cost.
- Short rotation period.
- High timber recovery.
- High timber quality.
- 20-30% of seedlings raised in a nursery may exhibit poor physical quality and should be discarded.
Nursery Management
- Focus on raising high-quality seedlings rather than the number of seedlings produced.
- Seedling quality refers to both genetic and physical characteristics.
- Genetic quality can be improved by selecting superior mother trees, while physical quality can be improved through good nursery practices.
Learn about the essential factors to consider when selecting a nursery site, including sunlight exposure, accessibility, and water supply. Understand the importance of gentle slope, avoiding strong winds, and aligning seed beds in the East-West direction.
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