A GUIDE TO CONTAINER TREE SEEDLING PRODUCTION
Contents
1. 0027029 aseyd 521245 801 uonesrup Apreq ou e0e606006000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 e0e606006000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 e0e6060060000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000002. contaminated clothing as soon as possible 2 Wash the affected area with large amounts of water and soap 3 Seek medical attention as soon as possible In case of eye contact 1 Flush eyes immediately with a large amount of water for at least 30 minutes 2 Make sure that water reaches the underside o the upper and lower lids 3 Contact medical help as soon as possible Disposing of hazardous materials Potentially hazardous materials include items such as broken glass old chemical containers acid chemical drenched towels other sharp materials To avoid problems Label potentially dangerous trash and trashcans containing that material Designate a box or container for broken glass and other sharp objects In case of inhalation 1 Exit the affected area immediately and seek medical attention 2 If the victim is unconscious they must be removed from the affected area immediately 3 Rescue breathin must be but precautions should be taken to avoid transfer of poisonous vapors into the rescuer s lungs 4 Contact medical help as soon as possible New Jersey Department of i eh Right to Know Fact Sheets http www nj gov health eoh rtkweb Last accessed September 18 2012 Section 1 3 Working with Fertilizers Working with Fertilizers Proper fertilizer use can enhance pant promti and help to produce healthy seedling however poor use and
3. Section 6 1 General Fertilizer Information Soluble fertilizers come in a number of different forms usually consisting of dry powder or granules A grower must acquire fertilizers that supply plants with all the nutrients required on development Usually several types of nutrients must be mixed together to reach an appropriate fertilizer formulation The specific fertilizer solution is then distributed through the injection system to a network of distributing sprinklers or a traveling overhead boom 1 Does the selected fertilizer solution account for ample amounts nitrogen phosphorous and potassium Does it contain necessary macro and micronutrients TR ST amm jar Am om cd a See next page 4 48 2 Are the dilution rate injection rate and number of seedling taken into consideration in the fertilizer calculation Are the injector sprinklers or boom calibrated to ensure sufficient and not toxic levels of fertilizer solution are reaching plants Remember to make sure that your fertilizer injector has a backflow preventer to eliminate the possibility of fertilizer re entering the water line and contaminate drinking water Nelson 1978 Greenhouse operation and management Reston VA Prentice Hall Inc 518 p 5Matthews 1986 Personal communication British Columbia Ministry of Forests Victoria BC Matthews 1983 Seedling production for Crown lands in
4. Tara Wilkinson Kim and R K Dumroese 2009 Chapter 8 Seed germination and sowing options Dumroese R K Luna T and T D Landis Editors Nursery manual for native plants guide for tribal nurseries Volume 1 Nursery management Agriculture Hand book 730 Washington D C U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service 133 151 p Section 4 7 Seed Stratification Physiologically and morphologically dormant seeds often require a period of cold 1 to 5 C and or warm 22 to 30 C stratification to before sowing in order to germinate Below is step by step description of stratification 1 Place seeds in a labeled mesh bag 2 Mix and and tie it closed moisten media to the extent that only a small amount f t Fill a plastic bucket with the m media and place the mesh bag with the eee seeds in the center of the bucket mak uere ing sure that the seeds are completely your hand covered by the media Place a plastic bag tightly around the top of the bucket and poke 25 small holes in the plastic Label the bucket with the species name and date 2 Place the bucket in the refrigerator set to 1 to 5 C or 22 to 30 C 6 Take the seeds i Write down the species out every 2 weeks and Be Lr ate and status of the seeds rinse them under each time you check on them clean running me water to eliminate any al If seeds begin to germinate fungus and they nee
5. Working with Acids When handling acids always wear a face mask goggles gloves and cover all exposed body parts Store protective wear in one location that is easily accessible to all employees When diluting acids always pour acid into water slowly Never pour water into acid Why do you add acid to water and not the other way around When acid reacts with water a large amount of heat is released When one adds water to acid the initial concentration of acid is very high and so much heat is released that the solution may boil violently causing concentrated acid to splash out of the container However if acid is added to water the acid concentration in the mixture is low and increases gradually releasing only a small amount of heat thus reducing the hazard Proper Procedures for Mixing Acid Proper Acid Disposal Pour desired amount of water l Dilute acid by pouring it slowly into a into a bucket container container of water 2 Put on rubber gloves long sleeve pi Make sure you have at least twice as shirt apron and goggles much water as acid 3 Place bucket lower than eye level to gt event splashing acid into your Do not dispose of acid indoors 4 Slowly pour in the desired amount of acid mixing the solution slowly Senese January 1997 Last accessed September 18 2012 Section 1 2 Working with Acids General First Aid Steps for Acid Exposure In case of skin contact 1
6. Luna 2012 Raising native plants in nurseries basic concepts Gen Tech Rep RMRS GTR 274 Fort Collins CO U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station 84 p Baskin C C and Baskin J M 1998 Seeds ecology biogeography and evolution in dormancy and germination San Diegeo CA Academic Press 666 p Bonner F T and R P Karrfalt 2008 The Woody Plant Seed Manual Agricultural Handbook No 727 Washington DC U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service 1 223 p Appendix General Safety Substance Substance Protective Wear DEM Protective Wear gt Details Appendix Keeping Records The Daily Checklist Daily Task Completed Walk through the entire nursery and take a look at all of the crops take note of any problems or tasks that needs to be done today Location Time High Write down the temperature take note of the temperature variation throughout the plant production area if multiple thermostats are available Weed the area around the plants Check the sprinkler nozzles to make sure they are attached clean Check whether plants need extra perlite thinning or sorting Take block weights of all of the crops S3JON o dood uoneunq SYSPI 507 L uorjenp junoure 4 eJ 1 Jad
7. T D and K M Wilkinson 2009 Chapter 10 Water quality and irrigation In Dumroese R K Luna T and T D Landis editors Nursery manual for native plants A guide for tribal nurseries Volume 1 Nursery management Agriculture Handbook 730 Washing ton D C U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service p 177 199 Section 6 1 General Fertilizer Information Inherently growing media used in nurseries contains a very small amount of nutrients Therefore necessary nutrients are provided through added fertilizers Essential nutrients can be broken up into macro and micronutrients Macronutrients are required in relative large quantities while micronutrients are only necessary in small amounts Macronutrients A part of chlorophyll the green plant pigment is necessary Nitrogen for photosynthesis Aids plants with rapid growth Aids in protein and chlorophyll formation Sulfur Promotes root growth Improves plant cold tolerance Essential for photosynthesis Aids in proper plant maturation Phosphorus Improves plant stress tolerance Promotes rapid growth Encourages blooming and root growth Aids in photosynthesis Potassium Improves stress tolerance Reduces disease Responsible for nutrient transport and retention Calcium Improves plant str ength Essential for photosynthesis Magnesium A necessary component in promoting plant growth Silicone Improves plant stress tolerance Micr
8. a large plastic bag and moisten to the extent that when gt Place seeds into the plastic bag squeezed a little ed with media and tie closed water drips off Seeds can be stored for a few months at 3 to 4 C but should be monitored periodically for pathogen problems and rinsed if problems occur See Section 4 2 General Consideration for Seed Storage Clean seeds from plant material i e fruit tissue seed appendages bracts etc If storing orthodox seeds make sure seeds remain in a sealed container and do not absorb moisture during storage Maintaining stable temperatures and moisture levels in the storage area is critical Frequent germination tests at least once a year are an important way to assess the quality and storability of each seed lot Dumroese K Landis T D Luna T and Hernandez 2008 Simple methods for raising tree and shrub seedlings in Afghanistan Washington DC U S Agency for International Development and U S Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service Office of Capacity Building and Development 63 p Section 4 4 Seed Imbibition Test Seeds must absorb water in order to germinate However seeds that are physically dormant are impermeable to water A simple way to determine whether seeds can take up water is through an imbibition test The steps below outline the procedures 1 Separate 100 to 400 seeds into four 2 Weigh seeds and write down the equal sets samples
9. and some Acer species Storing Orthodox Seeds 1 Dry seeds See Section 4 1 2 After ___ drying remove vU seeds from adjacent tissue cones samaras bracts This can be done with a cone tumbler or by hand a Keep seeds at 0 to 5 C for up to 3 seeds into sealed D years conduct a germination test every containers glass Dm x year to make sure seeds are still viable jar with a tight lid Label with the species name elevation collection location date and your name Bonner Karrfalt R P Eds 2008 The Woody Plant Seed Manual Agric Handbook No 727 Washington DC U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service 1 223 p Section 4 3 Seed Storage Recalcitrant seeds cannot be dried and should stay between 25 and 45 of the original moisture content but can be stored for short periods of time at low temperatures 3 to 4 C Generally recalcitrant seeds are covered with fleshy or juicy tissue which helps maintain the seeds in a high moisture environment Specific information about which species have recalcitrant seeds requires annual germination tests of the same seed lots but general examples of genera with recalcitrant seeds are listed below Can be stored for several month to several years Aesculus Quercus Persea and some Acer species Storing Recalcitrant Seeds 1 Prepare seeds for storage but do 2 Place not dry them See Section 4 1 growing media in
10. the species should be watered See Section 5 1 If a crop is irrigated the following information should be recorded in the Daily Irrigation Log a the amount duration of application b fertilizer rate and type The Weekly Log helps summarize the activities that take place every week It includes information regarding the tasks that were completed the amount of people and time required In addition the form helps summarize nursery financial records by providing space to document customer orders as well as the purchases made by the nursery on a weekly basis Below you will find examples of each form in addition empty templates of the same forms can be found in the Appendix These forms can be modified to better fit your nursery but the general information should remain the same Jacobs D F and K M Wilkinson 2009 Chapter 3 Planning crops and developing propagation protocols In Dumroese R K Luna T and T D Landis Editors Nursery manual for native plants A guide for tribal nurseries Volume 1 Nursery management Agriculture Handbook 730 Washington D C U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service p 177 199 Section 2 Keeping Records Name Matthew Date June 10 2012 The Daily Checklist Walk through the entire nursery and take a look at all of the crops take note of any problems or tasks that needs to be done today Write down the temperature Location main greenhouse take note of the temperature varia
11. British Columbia guidelines for commercial container nurseries Victoria BC British Columbia Ministry of Forests Silviculture Branch 1983 45 p 65 Section 6 1 General Fertilizer Information Slow Release Fertilizers Low tech fertilizing option e Controlling balance and No injectors pumps are needed concentration of nutrients is not Requires a one time application possible without labor intensive at the start of the growing season amendments Lower labor costs less time spent Distribution of slow release pellets is fertilizing not always uniform across containers Less room for error in a large crop though this can be minimized with careful mixing procedures Soluble Fertilizers gt gt gt Advantages Disadvantages e Precise control of the balance and Requires specialized injection and concentration of nutrients at each an irrigation systems that can irrigation event evenly distribute fertilizer The ability to adjust fertilizers Demands precise calculations and nutrients and concentrations at mixing of fertilizers to provide the each irrigation event spectrum of nutrients needed for Low chance of over or plant development under fertilizing a crop which Higher labor cost due to regular can prevent salt build up or mixing and application of fertilizers nutrient deficiencies Requires regular measurement and calibrations gt Matthews 1982 Contrasting approaches to containerized seedling production 1 Bri
12. an absolute measurement a broadleaf species trend seen over the entire growing season is more important than a one time Growing media that is either too measurements acidic or too basic may cause reduced absorption of certain nutrients by the An EC value that is high may indicate poor plant The presence of natural minerals drainage in the containers which causes in irrigation water e g calcium can the build up of nutrients in the media An increase the pH making the media more EC value that is low may indicate a lack of basic nutrient retention in the media AVAILABILITY OF ELEMENTS TO PLANTS AT pH LEVELS FOR ORGANIC SOILS ur i agg TA na 0 1 mS cm very sufficient for early 2e NITROGEN phase OW MITT m 1 2 5 mS cm good for early phase l rms POTASSIUM 2 5 4 6 mS cm normal good for middle SULFUR phase GALCIUM 4 6 6 5 mS cm dangerous in warm MAGNESIUM temperatures OO se messen Et E gt 25 C iniri damage to plants DORON in Fn room ES ME p values will vary slightly by species gt Fisher PR and W R Argo 2005 Electrical conductivity of growing media why is it important GMPro 25 5 54 58 Cregg B M 2005 Conifer Nutrition Michigan Landscape Magazine September October 42 45 5Dumroese R K 2012 Media Electrical Conductivity Readings
13. areas Prior to sterilization sweep and wash floor if appropriate with running water to remove media and other debris that may remain from the growing season 1 Mix a solution of one part bleach to nine 2 Place mixture in a backpack sprayer parts water Wear protective equipment or a spray bottle General Pest Control Measures Prevention of phytosanitary issues can be achieved by following a few simple practices Animal and Insect Pests FEES UI Fungal and Bacterial Pests Create physicalbarriersto Keeping the nursery clean should deter insects rodents birds be one of the top priorities and other pests from your SR Ve crop ER Remove potential disease a uu WS nM vectors e g weeds infected Elevated tables mesh E or dead plants plant material screens nets concrete or mum brought in from other areas cinder block walls can be _ used as physical barriers oder Sweep and remove dead decaying EE Se organic materials regularly Biological control measures such as cats and predatory 5 5 Make sure that a constant insects or physical traps can 9 MEG air flow is maintained in the be used to eliminate insects growing environment that are already present SRR lip h TN Reduce standing water K F and C N Roistacher 1957 Heat treatment of soil In Baker K F The U C system for producing healthy container grown pl
14. Ali oun 0000000 0 eeeeet sun 2100 SIWON Sp10034 7 sJoppunds 10 So zZOoU 1 IT 5 95 OFC 0001 6 SYDLIG 001 yeodoo09 ynog junoury 9214196 W9 SUIP 5912 46 aseysind poou yeados0 uo SuTUUNY __ soy OT 5 SULINP poou P OUI IUOS jdo d z S3JON o dood uoneunq SYSPI 8071 OUI 19711194 Surxrjq sIourejuoo pue SUKTN 5 sinoy oc snSue pue snips eouid SUIMOS Mane 2 0 7 Section 3 1 Crop Planning Careful crop planning is critical to successful nursery management Crop planning allows the grower to visualized the entire production process anticipate potential needs and allow for roper timing so that the crop can be ica for the customer on a pre designated date The follows steps must be considered when planning for crop production 1 Identify the amount of space available for plant production at your nursery 2 Create a layout for the crop based Jj Identity the seed source for each crop on the number of seedlings that must be and schedule
15. M Aghai is a Research Scientist Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research Department of Forest Rangeland and Fire Sciences University of Idaho Moscow Idaho Acknowledgements Funding for this project was provided by the United States Department of Agriculture USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Office of Capacity Building and Development under the participating agency service agreement with the United States Forest Service International Programs USFS IP and the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative LRI We thank the LRI team for their assistance and on the ground support that made this project possible We also appreciate the cooperation and receptiveness of numerous nursery managers and growers Design and layout by Olga A Kildisheva Photography by unless stated otherwise Matthew M Aghai Karma Bouazza Anthony S Davis and Olga A Kildisheva All photographs used in this publication remain the property of the original copyright holder Photographs should not be reproduced or used in other contexts without written permission from the copyright holder Produced by University of Idaho Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research University of Idaho P O Box 441137 Moscow Idaho 83844 1137 USA Available from Lebanon Reforestation Initiative Olivetti Building 8th Floor Corniche Pierre Gemayel Mathaf Box 16 6975 Beirut Lebanon Table of Contents 1 Workplace Safety General Safety Working with Acids Wo
16. Sorg seeds in cool water free environment out of direct sunlight Systematic inspection of each seed batch at least once every month during storage is also important If seeds become moldy soft or discolored there are several things you can do to prevent the speread to the entire seed lot These are listed below A running water rinse is a technique used to reduce pathogen damage to 5 It can be used prior to planting to reduce pathogens and allow seeds to absorb water which is necessary for germination or during stratification if you notice fungal damage while seeds are in storage 1 Place 2 Place bag seeds into under a gentle a mesh bag s stream of cool and tie it to N fresh running prevent seeds Si water under a from spilling sink faucet or a out hose Allow for the water to rinse the a Gently shake the bag to allow for seeds well try to handle them carefully excess water to drip off dry the seed gently so they are not damaged in the process with a towel or napkins if necessary 5 Sow seeds immediately or place seeds back into the stratification If you cannot finish sowing all of the seeds on the same day 1 Place seeds back in the mesh bag Tie and label the bag with the species name Wrap in several moist napkins or a moist towel and wrap in plastic bag but do not tie the bag closed to allow for some air circulation Store a cool place preferably a refrigerator Sow seeds as soo
17. USAID FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE 19 gt Ul egio LEBANON REFORESTATION INITIATIVE LEBANON REFORESTATION INITIATIVE DISCLAIMER This manual is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency of International Development USAID The content of this manual is the sole responsibility of the US Forest Serviceand does not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Government Preface This manual was written for the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative to improve nursery practices and support seedling production in Lebanon It is meant to fill the gap between practical experience and technical manuals and highlights some of the key aspects involved in container production through a series of step by step guides Because of its brevity this publication does not attempt to thoroughly explain the theory behind many plant propagation concepts discussed here but instead is meant to be supplemented with other existing technical nursery publications About the Authors Anthony S Davis is an Assistant Professor of Native Plant Regeneration and Silviculture and Director of the Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research Department of Forest Rangeland and Fire Sciences University of Idaho Moscow Idaho Olga A Kildisheva is a Research Scientist Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research Department of Forest Rangeland and Fire Sciences University of Idaho Moscow Idaho Matthew
18. ants California Agriculture Experiment Station Extension Service Manual 23 Parramatta Australia Australian Nurserymen s Asso ciation Ltd 123 137 Appendix Additional Resources The list below provides supplemental information that you may find useful Youtube channel with video tutorials for various topics disscussed in this manual http www youtube com TargetSeedlings Electronic resources and publications from the University of Idaho Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research http research uidaho com Books and Manuals Navarrete Navarro M A Cerrillo R Palacios Rodriguez G Chnais E and Salman 2011 Forest nurseries in Lebanon for native species production Gland Switzerland and Malaga Spain IUCN Cordoba Spain University of Cordoba IDAF and Beyrouth Lebanon Association for Forest Development and Conservation 120 p Dumroese R K Landis T D Luna T Hernandez G 2008 Simple methods for raising tree and shrub seedlings in Afghanistan Washington DC U S Agency for International Development and U S Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service Office of Capacity Building and Development 63 Dumroese Luna Landis T D editors Nursery manual for native plants A guide for tribal nurseries Volume 1 Nursery management Agriculture Handbook 730 Washington D C U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service 302p Dumroese R K Landis T
19. at value Make sure all the leachate solutions have settled for the same amount of time Between measurements rinse ze Begin to pour the sensor on the meter with distilled water through distilled water the selected containers Start by pouring 25ml then add 25ml every minute Stop when you see that at least 50ml of leachate has accumulated in the cups below the containers Whipker B E Cavins T J and W C Fonteno 2001 The 1 2 3 of PourThru http www w ces ncsu edu depts hort floriculture Florex PourThru 20Handout 20123s pdf Accessed 24 May 2006 Raleigh NC North Carolina State University Department of Horticultural Science Section 7 Phytosanitation After each growing season containers will be covered with used media root particles and invisible pathogenic organisms Vectors for liverworts moss algae and many weed species will also be present In order to reuse these containers without spreading disease to your new crop be sure to sterilize the containers In addition to sterilizing containers areas of seed storage and those associated with plant propagation i e greenhouse benches outdoor rowing areas media storage rooms pumps injectors and irrigation systems should also be cleaned To clean containers Prior to sterilization wash containers under running water to remove media and other debris that may remain on the container walls The Bleach Method The Heat Method Household bl
20. ation water reaches the capsules they expand slightly allowing for some nutrients to be released into the growing media For seedling production slow release pellets should be pre mixed into growing media before containers are filled and seeds are sown Top dressing containers or pots with slow release pellets is also an option though less effective 1 Does the selected fertilizer contain all of the necessary macro and micronutrients 2 How long do seedlings need to be fertilized In order to produce a quality crop by the target date fertilization must occur at the appropriate rate and correspond with plant development throughout the growing season Slow release fertilizers are designed to release nutrients for a predetermined duration which is stated on the product label 16 8 12 2 Products like 6M PLUS are rated to release nutrients for over 6 months majority of the growing season gt What are the average temperatures in your greenhouse during the growing season e rate of nutrient release is dependent on the moisture and temperature of the growing media It is important to examine the product label where duration and release rates are specified Fertilizer release rates are calculated for a target temperature and moisture level If the average growing season temperatures at the nursery are higher than those stated on the product label the grower must account for the increased nutrient release rates
21. collection or purchase produced Consider seed ripening date and the time Take into account the available growing required to collect and process the seeds space container type germination rate and potential mortality throughout the growing season Greenhouse ch Identify and schedule any treatments t hat are necessary prior to sowing Consider seed dormancy requirements materials needed to treat seeds and the duration of treatment needed for each species 5 Schedule crop establishment Consider the plant growth phases Refer to Section 3 2 and the requirements for each Species Container Number 6 Create a crop schedule that insures the production of a quality seedling by the target date This can be done electronically or by using a calendar Jacobs D F and Wilkinson 2009 Chapter 3 Planning crops and developing propagation protocols In Dumroese R K Luna T and T D Landis Editors Nursery manual for native plants A guide for tribal nurseries Volume 1 Nursery management Agriculture Handbook 730 Washington D C U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service 177 199 Section 3 2 Seedling Growth Phases Growers can monitor plants through observation and regular measurements Seedlings follow three phases of development during nursery culture early middle and hardening phase The timing of each phase will vary by species sowing date nursery culture location and weathe
22. cols In Dumroese R K Luna T and Landis Editors Nursery manual for native plants A guide for tribal nurseries Volume 1 Nursery management Agriculture Handbook 730 Washington D C U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service p 177 199 Section 3 2 Seedling Growth Phases Hardening TL Mx am LAN F d L i in 1 a JE i A s F m 5 NN RES 2 Li A a Er Middle Phase Objective Provide ample amounts of water fertilizer and sunlight to maximize seedling growth Phase can last up to 3 months depending on species and environmental conditions e Phase is complete when 2 3 of target seedling height is achieved Growing Temperature humidity and light should be optimized Conditions Temperatures should be maintained above 0 C When temperatures approach 40 C seed lings should be provided with shade and ample water to reduce drought stress and potential damage Growing the crop during the longest photoperiods of the year can maximize light Ample water should be provided e g gt 80 gravimetric block weight so the seedlings do not experience moisture stress See Section 5 1 Fertilization Proper fertilization is critical during this phase The fertilizer solution should provide all micro and macronutrients so that the crop can reach target height and maintain proper form and color This can be achieved with an appr
23. containers in direct sunlight 2 Fold several napkins 10 mm thick and soak them in water allow for the extra water to drip off you should have 4 sets of moist folded napkins 2 Place napkins into four containers and spread seeds evenly over the napkin surface Close the lids or wrap a transparent plastic bag over the containers Check on the seeds every 1 to 5 days for 30 days writing down the seeds that germinate every time you check and removing the germinated seeds Bonner F T and R P Karrfalt Eds 2008 The Woody Plant Seed Manual Agriculture Handbook 727 Washington DC U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service 1 223 p Section 4 6 Determining Seed Dormancy Type is an evolutionary characteristic exhibited by seeds of many species Determining the type of dormancy a seed possesses is the first step in improving ermination The diagram below will guide you through identifying the type of seed ormancy Seed Imbibition Test Seeds absorb water x x YES NO Seeds need to be scarified Germination Test Seeds germinate _ MEN NO YES YES NO Physiological or Non Dormant Physical Dormancy Physical Morphological Seeds germinate Physiological Dormancy within 30 days Dormancy Seeds need stratification Baskin and J M Baskin 1998 Seeds ecology biogeography and evolution of dormancy and germination San Diego Academic Press 666 2
24. d decreasing temperatures by developing traits that facilitate hardiness However additional measures to reduce growth can be achieved through alterations in irrigation and fertilization regimes Irrigation Irrigation water should slowly be reduced during this phase This can be achieved through gradually lowering the percent saturation requirement e g reduction in target gravimetric weight by 5 twice a month See Section 5 1 general reduction in mineral nutrients particularly nitrogen will facilitate hardening If applied through an injection system fertilization should be tapered halt shoot growth A Additional Hardiness levels should vary based on when a seedling 15 outplanted Information Growers should annually document when seedlings enter and exit each phase of growth Having multiple years of records in addition to morphological data describing seedling height and root collar diameter during each phase will allow for better crop management and outplanting success Section 3 3 Pruning Pruning can be used to control seedling height increase crop uniformity control transpiration rates and help meet target root to shoot ratios Generally only broadleaf Peels should be pruned while conifers should not The timing of pruning will depend on t species container type and the duration of nursery culture before outplanting For pruning a large crop consider using a stencil This will make pruning faster whil
25. d to be sown as soon as monitor their status 7 possible Bonner and R P Karrfalt Eds 2008 The Woody Plant Seed Manual Agriculture Handbook No 727 Washington DC U S Depart ment of Agriculture Forest Service 1 223 p Kildisheva O A and D J Regan 2012 Seed Treatments for Containerized Seedling Production at the University of Idaho Forest Nurs ery Notes 32 1 10 15 Section 5 1 Setting a Gravimetric Weight Scale The frequency of irrigation can depend on many factors such as air temperature sunlight relative humidity efficiency of the irrigation system container type seedlings size etc Al though tactile assessments can be used to guide irrigation this method is often inconsistent and can result in reduced growth and development of seedlings By developing a gravimetric weight scale the grower can track water availability more precisely and assess potential water stress often not apparent through tactile assessment To create and use a gravimetric weight scale please follow the steps below 1 Begin by watering the entire crop to full saturation or field capacity The time required to reach saturation will depend on the media and irrigation system but the point at which water begins to drip from the bottom of the containers indicates full saturation 2 Select a minimum of one tray within each crop if you have several different watering zones make sure that you have selected at least o
26. diately or place the solution and rinse A d seeds back into the stratification the mesh bag thoroughly F gt a under fresh running water 5Narimanov A 2000 Presowing treatment of seeds with hydrogen peroxide promotes germination and development in plants Biologia 55 425 428 Section 4 3 Seed Storage The way seeds are sufficiently stored depends on seed type e g orthodox or recalcitrant Generally orthodox seeds must be dried prior to storage and can be stored for several years while recalcitrant seeds should not be dried prior to storage and can be stored for only a short time A detailed description of the two seed types are provided below Orthodox seeds can be stored for long periods of time years if they are dried sufficiently to 10 or less of the original moisture content without the loss of viability Temperatures below freezing 1 to 5 C will increase possible storage duration up to 6 years but seeds can also be stored above freezing 0 to 5 C for up to 3 years Many orthodox seeds have some level of dormancy but specific information about which species have orthodox seeds requires annual germination tests of the same seed lots to assess whether viability is lost Examples of genera with orthodox seeds are listed below Can be stored for gt 6 years Abies Alnus Betula Fraxinus Larix Picea Pinus Prunus Tsuga and Acacia lt Ayears Carya Fagus Juglans Pinus Populus Salix
27. e maintaining crop uniformity The stencil along with an assortment of leg heights can be prefabricated and color coded to make using stencils with different leg heights easier Follow the steps below to as a guide for pruning your crop 1 Determine the target height for the crop the height of the crop at the end of the growing season 2 By measuring seedling shoot height you can determine how much needs to be removed Growth rates can vary through out the season both between and within species Remember the target height should be met before seedlings are out planted gt Select a pre fabricated stencil leg that meets your requirements then as semble your stencil and begin pruning Be careful to avoid folding plants over when placing the stencil on the crop Use a pair of large sharp pruning shears Placing the pruning shears along the edge of the stencil will allow for cutting many plants within and around the tray This makes for a quick and uniform cutting operation When finished with an area simply move the stencil along until the entire zone is pruned to an even height 6 Remove the excess foliage from the pruned areas This is important Excess foliage that is left in the crop after pruning will prevent irrigation water from reaching containers evenly and increase potential vectors for crop disease Section 4 1 Seed Handling and Cleaning The way seeds are treated directly after collection is im
28. each can be used effectively as Steam aerated steam or dry heat can be a disinfectant used to effectively disinfect containers Wear protective equipment 1 Mix a solution 1 Using a metal dip tank or other of 1 part bleach to 9 mechanical techniques make sure parts water temperatures are maintained between 75 and 85 C inside the unit temperatures closer to 80 C achieve the best results Do not use higher temperatures as they may damage the containers 2 Place mixture in a large volume i e a holding tank large tub 3 Dip the containers in solution Store containers in a clean Allow containers to remain in the unexposed area or covered by plastic or sterilization environment for at least tarp until next use 30 seconds Make sure that high temperatures are maintained for the entire duration Landis T D Tinus R W McDonald S E and J P Barnett 1989 The biological component nursery pests and mycorrhizae The con tainer tree nursery manual Volume 5 Washington DC USDA Forest Service Agricultural Handbook 674 171 p Baker K F and C N Roistacher 1957 Heat treatment of soil In Baker The U C system for producing healthy container grown plants California Agriculture Experiment Station Extension Service Manual 23 Parramatta Australia Australian 5 Asso ciation Ltd 123 137 Section 7 Phytosanitation To clean greenhouse and plant propagation
29. f collection To clean Soak fruits in water for several hours to few days in order to soften the fleshy tissue Change the water every 2 6 hours during soaking to allow for a sufficient amount of oxygen to remain in the water Discard floating seeds these are usually damaged or empty Remove fleshy tissue by squeezing by hand mashing the fruits with a wooden block gently rubbing against a screen under running water or using a food blender with bladed covered by a thick layer or tape or plastic After the seed and fleshy tissue are separated slowly add water to the seed and pulp mixture all of the undesirable components fleshy pulp and empty seeds will float and the high quality seeds will sink Remove the undesirable components and rinse the remaining seeds If after this rinse seeds require more cleaning they should be dried 1 to 3 hours Soak fruits for a few hours to a few days a Follow storage directions See Section 4 3 Bonner F T and R P Karrfalt Eds 2008 The Woody Plant Seed Manual Agriculture Handbook No 727 Washington DC U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service 1 223 p Section 4 2 Seed Cleansing Many species of trees and shrubs have seeds that are prone to fungal and bacterial pathogens Many of these pathogens will significantly decrease seed quality and subsequent germination Fungal and bacterial presence can be reduced through careful control of the storage environment i e
30. handling of fertilizers can be harmful to nursery employees and the environment Some fertilizers are flammable can cause irritation and can contaminate ground water To avoid these problems follow the guidelines provided below General Rules for Working with Fertilizers When storing e Always store fertilizers in a correctly labeled containers bags in a dry place away from sources of heat or fire Place fire extinguisher close to the fertilizer storage area in case of an emergency When using Workers should wear protective clothing when mixing fertilizers Use a backflow preventer to ensure that water containing fertilizer or pesticide is not mixed back in with water used for human consumption Monitor fertilizer runoff and take measures to avoid the mixing of runoff with surface water such as a stream or lake Mix slow release fertilizer into the media directly to avoid leaching of fertilizer that is top dressed Remember that temperature and moisture of the growing media will influence the fertilizer release rate Know your fertilizer conversions and injector rates Reduce fertilizer runoff by placing species that require the same fertilization frequency into the same irrigation zones Section 1 4 Working with Machinery and Moving Parts Working with Machinery and Moving Parts Operating machinery such as cement mixers tractors media mixers and so on may be required Care must be taken by both the employer and the employees to in
31. in Container Nurseries Why Bother Usefulness Meters Conducting Tests and Interpreting Results PPT presentation USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station Moscow Idaho Section 6 2 Measuring pH and Systematic pH and EC measurements throughout the growing season can be used as tools to gauge fertilization practices and make changes in order to maintain a productive root environment Take and record pH and EC readings regularly and even Y across Tops Over time you will accrue data that will help you determine the ideal pH and EC values tor the production of healthy seedlings at your nursery The steps below describe the pour thru method for taking EC and pH measurements gt You will need pH meter s 1 Begin by calibrating your EC meter s meters For a pH meter use at Distilled water with a pH 7 and EC of 0 least two buffer solutions Follow Nursery water used for crop irrigation the directions provided with your Clean cups or beakers gt 50ml unit carefully A sample of plants 210 seedlings 3 trays 2 Take baseline 2 Place cups or readings of both the akers beneath the distilled water and the containers that you local water source will be measuring Complete before using The vessel should have both the pH and EC enough room to hold meters 50ml Wait at least 15 minutes for the leachate to settle then begin measurement Let the sensor sit in a solution until it is stable then record th
32. n as possible James L and D Genz 1981 Evaluation of ponderosa pine seed treatments effects on seed germination and disease incidence Forest Pest Management Report 81 16 Missoula MT U S Department Agriculture Forest Service Northern Region 13 p Kildisheva and D J Regan 2012 Seed Treatments for Containerized Seedling Production at the University of Idaho Forest Nurs ery Notes 32 1 10 15 Section 4 2 Seed Cleansing A hydrogen peroxide rinse can also be A bleach rinse can be used to disinfect seeds used for species more susceptible to for which water or hydrogen peroxide are fungal and bacterial problems This not effective in reducing mold treatment can sometimes increase germination if used prior to sowing and Care should be taken with thin coated seeds is particularly useful for species in the such as Fraxinus or Acer species which can Rosaceae family be damaged through long exposure to concentrated bleach solutions 1 Prepare a solution of one part 1 Prepare a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to three parts fresh commercial bleach to five parts fresh water water 2 Place seeds 3 Submerge seeds in solution and in mesh bag swirl the bag around in order to allow panty hose or j the solution to coat seeds evenly any other similar ue mi material and tie to prevent seeds from spilling 4 Continue doing this for 5 to 10 minutes Remove seeds from 6 Sow seeds imme
33. ne tray in that zone a Allow one hour to pass 5 Weigh the selected trays 6 Write down a species b weight c location and or watering zone The information you recorded is the saturated weight field capacity of that container and will be the basis for determining when to irrigate Mark the trays so you can find them easily attaching flagging twine or a wire handle can make locating and lifting the containers easier When finished weighing return the trays to their original locations Section 5 1 Setting a Gravimetric Weight Scale 5 Wait 24 hours before weighing the tray again 10 Divide the new weight of the tray by the original weight then multiply the result by a 100 to determine the per cent water content percent saturation of the containers weg 5204 C AY 2100 ESA 1 2 Repeat on a daily basis each of the designated trays writing down the new NS 1 1 Use the calculated percentage to determine whether seedlings need to be irrigated The desired saturation values for each crop should be set at the beginning of the growing season and should change systematically throughout the season in correspondence with the growth phase of the crop See Section 3 2 When temperatures are above 35 C container weights should be measured more frequently Section 5 2 Assessing Irrigation Uniformity within a Watering Zone Regardless of the t
34. onutrients Iron Necessary for chlorophyll formation Molybdenum Aids in nitrogen use Necessary for nutrient use and regulation Xam Aids in energy production Essential for reproduction Promotes root development Copper Manganese Necessary for use of stored energy Aids in photosynthesis Sodium Helps maintain turgor Necessary for use of stored energy zu Helps regulate growth Nickel Improves growth Chlorine Necessary for metabolism Landis T D 1989 Mineral nutrients and fertilization In Landis T D Tinus R W McDonald S E and J P Barnett The Container Tree Nursery Manual Volume 4 Agriculture Handbook 674 Washington DC U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service p 1 67 Section 6 1 General Fertilizer Information Nutrients must be available in a mineral form that is conducive to plant absorption Monitoring your fertilizer selections for the presence of all necessary mineral nutrients before application will allow for the production of healthy seedlings This can be achieved through regular monitoring See Sections 2 and 3 2 Nutrients can be added to the growing media in form of 1 slow release 2 soluble fertilizers The section below describes the principles of each method and the advantages and disadvantages of each Slow release fertilizers come in the form of capsules that have been manufactured to contain a suite of nutrients Once irrig
35. opriate rate of slow release fertilizers or through a balanced application of soluble fertilizers See Section 6 1 Additional Pruning can be used to control seedling height during this phase See Section 3 3 Information If container type allows for it seedlings should be sorted throughout this phase Sorting involves rearranging containers or trays in a way that similar sized seedlings are grouped together This practice reduces shading maximizes the effectiveness of overhead irrigation and allows for the maximum degree of uniformity among seedlings e Careful monitoring throughout this phase can help maximize seedling health and reduce the presence of pathogens Landis 1990 The Container Tree Nursery Manual Volume 6 Seedling propagation Agric Handbook No 674 Washington DC U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service 173 p Section 3 2 Seedling Growth Phases Middle Hardening Growing Season Hardening Phase Objective To divert shoot growth to stem and root growth and prepare seedlings for the stress that they will endure after nursery culture Phase begins when 2 3 of the terminal shoot height is achieved e Phase complete when determinate seedlings have set bud or reached a dormant status Growing Ambient temperature and photoperiod will decrease as the growing season progresses Conditions unless a climate controlled greenhouse is used Most plants will respond to a shortened photoperiod an
36. portant and will ultimately determine the quality of your seed lot a collection When you consider that a kilogram of seeds can yield several thousand seedlings it is evident how important it is to treat seeds well from the time of collection Handling and cleaning is dependent on the specks and the reproduc r tive structures they possess e g cones non fleshy fruits vs fleshy fruits Before beginning the cleaning process check if seeds of the species are orthodox or recalcitrant This will determine whether or not they can be dried See Section 4 3 The general guidelines for each type are described below Post Harvest Handling of Cones and Non Fleshy Fruits 1 After collection place seeds in burlap cotton or nylon screen bags to allow air flow and prevent fungal growth Only fill bags half way to allow for cones fruits to expand as they dry Very small collections can be placed into paper sacks Label each bag with the species 3 Place bags in a dry well ventilated elevation collection location date and area either hanging up or on shelves with ROE euge sufficient air flow The temperature should remain between 18 and 27 C Check cones fruits often and check them for mold or insect damage If mold is present it is a result of moisture and air circulation problems Rearrange the cones fruits so they get better air circulation you can spread them out over a flat surface or a screen but keep them out
37. r The following description simplifies each stage and provides a framework for keeping records to be referenced in the future Middle Hardening Growing Seafon Maximize the number of containers filled with healthy seedlings Phase can last 4 to 8 weeks depending on a species and culturing conditions Phase is complete with the first flush of needles or true leaves Keep the surface of the growing media moist Excess water can cause crop disease but too little water will prevent germination or damage newly germinated seedlings Irrigation can be regulated using gravimetric weights See Section 5 1 set to a percentage that allows for ample water to be available to the seedlings throughout this phase i e gt 85 or by setting irrigation frequency based on environmental conditions i e water once a day or water twice a day if temperatures exceed 27 C Additional The first two weeks Information Monitor the crop closely so that resowing thinning and transplanting can occur promptly e Resow the empty cells if germination hasn t occurred Resowing outside of the two week window will result in uneven crop age a delay in crop schedule and seedlings that will not reach the target size by outplanting e Thinning should start as soon as possible to reduce competition for resources e g wa ter light rooting space among seedlings Jacobs D F and Wilkinson 2009 Chapter 3 Planning crops and developing propagation proto
38. rking with Fertilizers Working with Machinery and Moving Parts 2 Keeping Records 3 Crop Development Crop Planning Seedling Growth Phases Pruning 4 Working with Seeds Seed Handling and Cleaning Seed Cleansing Seed Storage Seed Imbibition Test Seed Germination Test Determining Seed Dormancy Type Seed Stratification 5 Irrigation Setting a Gravimetric Weight Scale Assessing Irrigation Uniformity within a Watering Zone 6 Fertilization General Fertilizer Information Measuring pH and EC 7 Phytosanitation Appendix Additional Resources General Safety Keeping Records 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 3 1 32 3 3 4 1 4 2 4 3 4 4 4 5 4 6 4 7 5 1 5 2 6 1 6 2 Section 1 1 General Safety The nursery environment can have a high potential for injuries if necessary precautions are not taken Consider the safety of yourself and your employees during daily activities The information below outlines some key aspects of maintaining safety in the workplace Employer Responsibilities e Identify and warn workers about potential hazards at the nursery Examples include acids fertilizers pesticides fungicides machinery etc Label all hazardous chemicals and store them in a designated place such as a chemical cabinet Train your employees to use necessary precautions when handling hazardous materials and communicate about potential hazards verbally and in writing to make sure your employees understand the consequences associa
39. sure that all hazards associated with moving parts electricity dust and other flying debris are eliminated Follow the following steps to minimize risks General Rules for Working with Machinery and Moving Parts Take the time to train and practice with new machinery and new employees Wear a respirator and goggles if dealing with fine materials that can be inhaled or lodged in eyes i e mixing growing media and perlite Keep fingers out of the way of any moving parts Before beginning to operate any machinery check your surroundings if others are around inform them about what you plan on doing Section 2 Keeping Records Taking notes is vital to the success of a nursery Detailed records will help a assess progress of the current crop b plan for next year s crop and understand which practices were beneficial and which hindered progress The three components of this section will help with keeping records that lead to success 1 The Daily Checklist is meant to be completed every day preferably at the start of the day before beginning work This will allow the grower to be aware of tasks that need to take place and plan daily activities accordingly 2 The Daily Irrigation Log is designed to record the water status of each crop on a daily basis Ihe grower should use gravimetric weights to measure the weight of designated trays and calculate the dry down weight for each species This will help determine whether
40. ted with careless handling of dangerous materials apa i NT AN Fis Am Li ac Nu 4 Dy ede e Never store or handle unmarked chemicals e Include the chemical name and potential hazards associate with its use on the container If this data is not provided on the original container it should be printed and attached to the container used to store the chemical See next page e Always wear protective equipment Protective Equipment Goggles Respirator mask or scarf to cover the nose and mouth Long sleeved shirt and pants made of washable materials Socks shoes not sandals and gloves that extend past the wrist TN e Safety www Occupational ang Health Administration May 30 2007 Landscaping and Horticultu 2615 osha gov dte grant fy06 english b 6 health hazcom ppt Last accessed September 1 Section 1 1 General Safety Substance Sulfuric Acid H SO v Details Can affect your lungs when inhaled higher exposures can cause a build up of fluid in lungs Is a carcinogen Corrosive contact can severely burn the skin eyes and may lead to blindness Can cause headache nausea and vomiting Can cause permanent lung damage damage teeth and upset stomach Can enhance the combustion of other substances will explode in a fire Will produce poisonous gases in a fire _ Protective Wear Protective Wear _ Details Details Section 1 2 Working with Acids
41. the direct sun 6 Seeds should be cleaned remove all bracts cones samaras etc dried and stored under refrigerated conditions See Section 4 3 For recalcitrant seeds rinse in water and allow to air dry on a flat surface at room temperature for up to 1 hour Keep out of direct sun For orthodox seeds allow to air dry on a flat surface at room temperature for 2 to 7 days depending on species and weather Monitor for mold and keep out of direct sun Dumroese K Landis T D Luna T and Hernandez 2008 Simple methods for raising tree and shrub seedlings in Afghanistan Washington DC U S Agency for International Development and U S Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service Office of Capacity Building and Development 63 p Section 4 1 Seed Handling and Cleaning Post Harvest Handling of Fleshy Fruits 1 Collect fleshy fruits in plastic bags or buckets and store them in a cool place until they can be cleaned Keep fruits out of direct sun to reduce damage to seeds Photo by Luna 2 Label each bag or bucket with the species elevation collection location date and your name 3 If seeds are not covered by fleshy tissue rinse them in water and allow them to air dry on a flat surface at room temperature for up to 1 hour Keep out of direct sun If seeds are covered by fleshy tissue do not allow them to dry out and clean seeds fas soon as possible best done within a few hours o
42. tion Time 8 30 morning throughout the plant production area High 38 if multiple thermostats are available Low C 24 weed the area around the Pinus pinea crop Check the Fraxinus crop for insect dam age Zone 2 and 3 towards the back of Weed the area around the plants v greenhouse Check the sprinkler nozzles to make Need to clean nozzles in the front of the sure they are attached clean greenhouse Check whether plants need extra per Need to perlite to the Cedrus libani containers lite thinning or sorting Take block weights of all of the crops EZ 00 1 03 195 103 ofur YE euorssojo4q 512124 1921 S8 001 X 9 2 9 7 2 322A APPIN vould 437 01 01 08 JO wdd oor SUIMOS 68 001 X 84 8 C yoom Apre eoeri s 10 5 YIM Jad W9 o10o seg JO 8 9 dsqns snurxety uorjenp junoug ad A je e n Jod JUSIOM DLIOUITARI oseud 521224 001251121 00127294 1 s 9 12905 0000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
43. tish Columbia In Scarratt J B Glerum C and C A Plexman Eds Proceedings of the Canadian Containerized Tree Seedling Symposium 1981 September 14 16 Toronto ON COJFRC Symposium Proceedings O P 10 Sault Ste Marie ON Canadian Forestry Service Great Lakes Forest Research Centre p 115 122 Section 6 2 Measuring pH and Container media is the reservoir for a seedling s nutrients Problems in the reservoir that re strict the plants ability to absorb nutrients will cause seedlings to experience deficiencies pH and electrical conductivity EC can be used as indicators of nutrient status and growing conditions in the media is a measure of hydrogen ion EC is a measure of electrical activity and indicates how acidic or conductivity Pure water is a poor basic alkaline a solution is at a given conductor while salts in solution are good temperature conductors of electricity Fertilizers are considered to be salts As the amount of Battery acid 1 Strongly acidic fertilizer in solution increases its electrical Pure water at 23 C 7 Neutral conductivity increases and so does the EC Lye 12 Strongly Basic measurement values Nutrient absorption is influenced by pH Excessive salt levels can be detrimental to and different nutrients have specific pH root growth cause salt burns and harm ranges for optimal plant absorption The seedling development However an EC optimal pH for conifers is 5 5 and 6 5 for value is not
44. weight for each sample Place seeds into a mesh bag or Place in bucket and soak for 48 hours pantyhose and tie the ends to make sure in running water or if running water is seeds do not fall out not available use an aquarium bubbler and change water at least every 6 hours D After 48 din ours remove the Jj x seeds and record the seeds and spread weight them out ona Subtract the original napkin and pat weight from the new dry sothereisno weight to determine water on the seed i if the seeds absorbed surface water Bonner F T and Karrfalt Eds 2008 The Woody Plant Seed Manual Agriculture Handbook 727 Washington DC U S Depart ment of Agriculture Forest Service 1 223 p Section 4 5 Seed Germination Test Germination testing is a common procedure used to determine the quality viability and vigor of seeds prior to sowing This information can help growers gauge the number of seeds and containers necessary to produce the desired number of seedlings If seeds are not damaged by pathogens but they do not germinate it can indicate the presence of seed dormancy Dormant seeds require treatment prior to sowing The sections below outline the steps necessary to con duct a germination test 1 Separate 100 to 400 seeds into four equal sets samples Place the containers or plates in a location which remains at room temper ature 21 23 C and receives some light be sure to not put
45. ype of overhead irrigation system used at your nursery problems with irrigation uniformity can arise for various reasons such as system design plugging of nozzles and general wear on equipment Uneven irrigation can cause problems in crop production and should be monitored monthly A simple technique for checking irrigation uniformity is through conducting a test Follow the steps below to perform the test 1 Select a crop watering zone 2 Arrange equal sized cups disposable plastic cups work well in an evenly spaced grid throughout the crop ET FE FF Draw simple that describes the location E E A ELLEN E mA Sz 3 0 Lame c rm m of cups and nozzles for g y FIT fixed irrigation systems P nl ok 5 Turn off the irrigation 6 With a graduated cylinder ie 7 Some variation in the results measure the amount of water that 4 is natural but if you see dramatic has collected in each cup and put that differences examine the irrigation number next to the location of that cup H nozzles hose and other components on your map ____ to find the potential problem If nozzles become clogged soak them in a solution of household vinegar and or clean them with a small wire to dislodging cup nutrient buildup If a graduated cylinder is not available use a ruler and measure the depth of water in each Landis
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