Raising tomato nursery is the initial step in tomato

cultivation. However it is not an easy job as it needs lot of

resources. Some of them are availability of finance, land,

seed, source of irrigation, fertilizers, insecticides,

structures, trained and skilled staff. The demand for

quality seedlings is increasing which has resulted in

growth in the number of commercial nurseries in India.

There is a new trend of purchasing seedlings from

commercial nurseries as it is more convenient. The

nurseries provide healthy and quality seedlings in

required amounts to farmers.

Introduction:

Tomato seedlings raised in Pro-trays

Production of seedlings requires proper management of resources. Information about nursery resource management at appropriate time is important for the success of a nursery enterprise.Credit /Finance: Nursery production for horticultural crops is capital intensive. Credit can be obtained from Government agencies like National Horticultural Board, High Value Agriculture, National Horticulture Mission, Nationalized Banks, Cooperatives.Land: Land can be purchased or leased. It is one of the costliest input in a nursery.Seeds: Seeds must be of specific standards and of varieties in demand. They must be procured from institutions like NSC, SSC and Agricultural Universities. Seed is a costly and precious input.

Resource Management:

Structures: Nursery is raised in different types of

structures e.g. greenhouse, shadenet house, walking

tunnels, low tunnels, mist chambers etc. These structures

enables the production of plants round the year.

FYM: Media is prepared by mixing FYM and soil. Best

quality FYM should be used for the purpose. It is natural

source of nutrients. It improves physical condition of soil.

Fertilizers: they are concentrated sources of nutrients.

Water soluble fertilizers and conventional fertilizers may

be used. It promotes growth and development of plant.

Resource Management:

Irrigation: it is the most important resource in a nursery. It should be of good quality. All the metabolic activities in the tissue take place due to water. Water is the key element for a nursery. Climate Control: Geographical location determines the structure required for climate control in a nursery. The climatic factors such as temperature, relative humidity, light intensity plays an important role in germination of seeds and growth of the plant.Plant Protection: Plants are prone to be infested by diseases and pests. insecticides and fungicides are required for their control. The timely control measures are necessary for control of diseases and pests and unhampered growth of plants.

Resource Management:

Media: The material in which seeds are sown. It can be

soil or soil less media. There are different types of media.

Amongst the soil less media, Cocopeat is used on large

scale in India. The soil less media needs perfect

monitoring of fertigation but they give best results in

germination and development of the plant.

Trays and containers: Different containers are used for

sowing of the seed. The containers can be wooden or

plastic trays, pots plastic sills, plug trays etc depending

upon the size and number to plants to be raised.

Other Inputs:

Soil-less medium used in Nursery: Cocopeat

Protrays used in Nursery for planting tomato seeds

Labors: Labors are required for carrying out various

operations in the nursery. This is an input which is now in

shortage and thus mechanization is essential in some

aspects of nursery.

Technology: Lack of cheap labor has resulted into

technological interventions in nursery business.

Operations like filling, sowing, irrigation, climate control,

spraying etc. can be mechanized.

Training: Lot of trainings for operating equipment and

economic utilization of resources are required for

successful operation of a nursery.

Other Inputs:

Labors working in a Shadenet House of a Nursery.