GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PLANTING
NURSERY RAISED SEEDLINGS
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(a) |
Preparation of
site
and spacements: Spacing between the plants depends upon the species to be
planted. A close spacing of 2 m x 2m for light crown species and a wider
spacing of 3m x 5m for spreading crown may be adopted. Trees should always
be planted put in rows to facilitate tending and harvesting operations. Besides
it also enriches the beauty of plantation. Pits of size 30cm x 30cm x 30cm
to 45cm x 45cm x 45cm at the adopted spacing may be dug out in advance. The
dug out soil after weathering and breaking of clods, removal of stones, etc.
should be refilled in the original pits before planting. While refilling, addition
of farm yard manure is beneficial specially in the barren or exposed area. |
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If
planting is to
be done in homestead land or farm lands, where there are some trees already, size of
the pits are should be larger to avoid root interference in early stage.
Maximum light should be allowed by lopping the branches of existing trees.
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(b) |
Time & Technique of
planting: General time for planting of trees is July and August. In places
where watering facility is not available, it would be desirable to take up
plantation after one or two showers. It is advisable to carry out planting
on a rainy or cloudy day or in morning or evening on sunny days. |
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While planting the seedling the polypots should be cut and removed with a
sharp knife of a blade without disturbing the ball earth and seedling should
be planted with the ball of earth. For planting, the loose soil from the pit is
removed so as to accommodate fairly the root portion of the seedling.
Filling of the soil must be done with care, the plant being left erect and
the earth firmed around it. In hot day regions the soil in the planted
seedling may
be made slightly lower than the level of the ground, but in very wet or cold
places it is preferable to raise the soil a little above the ground level.
Watering may be done according to the requirements of the site. After a week
or two, a check may be made to see that no crack have appeared in the
planted pits and the trees are firm and straight. |
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(c) |
Care and
Maintenance: Good care and maintenance are essential to make tree plantation
a success. Proper attention must be given in the first 2/3 years. Although
tree crops do not require labourous attention there is a need for frequent
checking as follows: |
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1. |
Attention may be
paid to the provision of adequate fire breaks at suitable intervals to ward
off the risk of fire. |
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2. |
The elimination of
any regeneration of useless and unwanted weeds may be undertaken as and when
necessary, because seedlings are very much sensitive to weed competition. |
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3. |
Fences
or barriers must be kept in good condition. |
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View
Nursery Centres of the Forest Department of Manipur.
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